RM4.3 million loss due to leaky pipes — SWB
SIBU: The Sibu Water Board ( SWB) recorded 35.08 per cent non- revenue water ( NRW) last year, where 18,619,726 cubic meters (m3) of treated water were lost, largely due to leaky pipes.
According to SWB general manager Sudin Jaya, the NRW losses incurred in in 2016 was RM4,360,672.
“Measures have been put in place to achieve the target of 25 per cent NRW. Last year, SWB’s NRW stood at 35.08 per cent – an increase from 32.2 per cent recorded in 2015,” he told The Borneo Post.
Sudin said this when asked on the losses arising from NRW last year in term of cubic metres of water and monetary losses.
He added that from the 32.2 per cent NRW in 2015, a total of 15,946,837 m3 of water was lost, costing the board RM 3,607,498 in losses.
“Pipe leakages are the major cause of NRW,” he pointed out.
In 2016, there were 1,853 cases of communication pipe leakage and 770 of main burst had been repaired, he said.
Communication pipe refers to the piping between the water main and water meter.
Asked on the main cause of pipe leakage, Sudin attributed this to ground settlement.
“The ground settlement is due to the peat soil causing soil movement and displacement of the water main,” he explained.
He further revealed that there were 47 cases of water thefts in 2016.
On measures put in place to achieve the 25 per cent NRW, he said: “SWB is now concentrating on both commercial losses and physical losses.
“More isolated District Metering Area ( DMA) will be reestablished for monitoring and active leakage control activities to be carried out.”
On areas here with frequent pipes burst, Sudin named them as Sungai Maaw, Sungai Assan, Sibintek, Durin, Permai and Teku.
On a related matter, he disclosed that Salim treatment plant has a production capacity of 150 million litres daily ( MLD), while that of Bukit Lima produces 45 MLD.
He said the reserve margin is 23 per cent.
He revealed that the Salim treatment plant phase three is in the planning stage but the cost is not yet finalised.
Measures have been put in place to achieve the target of 25 per cent NRW. Last year, SWB’s NRW stood at 35.08 per cent – an increase from 32.2 per cent recorded in 2015. Sudin Jaya, SWB general manager