RM68m plant benefits 72,000 people

ALOR STAR: The Pokok Sena Water Treatment Plant, which commenced operation in November, has solved the low water pressure problem that plagued 72,000 people in Pokok Sena, northern Pendang and the southern Padang Terap districts.

Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada) public relations officer Ahmad Hakimi Abu Bakar said the RM68 million plant, which could produce up to 30 million litres of treated water daily, had solved water supply issues for residents in the areas.

He said in Pokok Sena alone, there were 13,000 account holders registered with the stateowned water supply company.

“Following the completion of the plant, we are able to fully channel treated water from the Bukit Pinang Water Treatment Plant to the people here.

“Thanks to federal funding, Sada was able to build the Pokok Sena Water Treatment Plant at a cost of RM68 million and solve the water supply problem.”

He said previously, some of the areas in Pokok Sena, such as Kampung Panchor, Felda Bukit Tembaga and the surrounding areas, had to rely on supply delivered by Sada water tankers.

“We had to take such measures to ensure that residents get their water supply.

“Following the completion of the Pokok Sena Water Treatment Plant, residents now enjoy uninterrupted water supply from their tap, including those in areas affected by low water pressure.”

The water treatment project is part of several components in the state action plan to resolve the treated water supply issue, through grants and loans from the Federal Government.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah had announced plans to overcome the state’s water woes by 2020.

One of the components is to upgrade five water treatment plants involving

RM928 million, scheduled to be completed by 2020.

The five plants are in Pelubang, Jenun Baru, Bukit Selambau, Sungai Limau and Lubuk Buntar Lama.

The project aims to provide facilities for treated water that is safe and clean for the people in the state, which would last until 2040.

The state initiative was given a boost after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in February announced a RM600 million allocation to increase the capacity of treated water to Langkawi.

The project, which includes the construction of an “Off-River Water Storage” in Padang Matsirat, is expected to be completed by 2022.

Once completed, the project will meet the demand for treated water supply for the domestic and tourism industry in Langkawi until 2040.

Kedahans are also enjoying free 20 cubic metres of treated water for those with a monthly water bill of RM10 and below.

Besides easing the people’s burden, the initiative has been successful in promoting water conservation.

Bashah said 221,000 households had benefitted from the programme since January, and the state government had spent RM2.8 million to cover the cost.

He said the state government would continue with the programme and had set aside RM18 million for the purpose this year.

The state government has embarked on a RM960 million Jeniang transfer canal project to increase raw water storage for Kedah and improve water irrigation for farmers.

Besides increasing the water reservoir for domestic use, the project will benefit 18,000 farmers working on 39,000ha of padi fields in the southern area of the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada).

Upon completion, farmers will start planting their crops twice a year.

The state government, with federal funding, is also undertaking a RM2.7 billion project to build and upgrade Mada tertiary canals for padi farmers.

Thanks to federal funding, Sada was able to build the Pokok Sena Water Treatment Plant at a cost of RM68 million and solve the water supply problem.

Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd public relations officer