Microbes to overcome stench at 11 sewage pump stations
KOTA KINABALU: The Public Works Department (PWD) has begun administering microbes at all 11 sewerage pump stations to address pollution problems now plaguing the folk of Likas for over nine months, and the results will be felt within a month of administering the solution to the pump stations.
Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony said that about 990 litres of the MicrobeLift costing RM194,000 would be deployed to the 11 pumping stations for a period of three months.
The first dosing was completed yesterday.
“I am confident that this will resolve the problem of the people in Likas … we are using bio organism, so it doesn’t cause environmental problems,” he said.
The solution poured is produced in the United States of America (US) and approved by USDA and applied by the waste water industry to treat industrial waste.
It is a biological treatment that is 100 percent biological and the product has been in the market for decades. It is also the only product that is registered with the National Water Service Commission (SPAN).
The bacteria in the compound tackles the specific need of the pollution problem now being faced in places such as the Likas Bay.
It is said to be able to get rid of the stench produced, the BOD, the e.coli and other substances that are harmful.
The compound is deployed upstream and will continue for a period of three months and its efficacy will be monitored by the PWD.
Peter also commented on the two broken sewerage pipes causing leakages and pollution problem in Likas.
He said that the new pipes would be used to replace the broken pipes.
The minister also said that the problem had been ongoing for nine months, prior to his tenure as the new minister of the ministry, and the previous contractor entrusted to carry out the job did not finish the work.
He said a new contractor had been appointed and the pipes would be fixed within 90 days.
Peter also instructed PWD to check any other leaks along the sewerage pipes.
He said each of the 11 pumping stations should have been staffed by three workers, hence, some 13 or more new workers would be absorbed immediately.