‘Gazette all water catchment areas as soon as possible’

KUCHING: Water authorities in the state have been urged to gazette all water catchment areas as soon as possible to prevent prohibited activities from jeopardising water quality.

This was one of the recommendations for Sarawak in the Auditor- General’s (AG) Report 2016 as the Environment Quality Report by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) had revealed that 18 rivers identified as water catchment areas are now categorised as semi-polluted and in need of treatment.

It said a total 58 water catchment areas had been identified but yet to be gazetted, which hampered enforcement, monitoring and recovery efforts.

“The state authorities on water must work together with Natural Resources and Environment Board to find immediate solution on the 18 rivers identified as water catchment areas but now semipolluted,” said the report.

It also called on the water authorities to work together with Land and Survey Department and the Forests Department to conduct enforcement on prohibited activities once the water catchment areas are gazetted.

On another matter, the report mentioned that the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant’s capacity would not be able to meet the clean water demand for Kuching and parts of Samarahan Division by 2020.

It disclosed that nine water treatment plants under the supervision of Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) were found not in operation, while three areas namely Santubong/Damai, Bario in Miri and Pandan in Bintulu did not have water treatment plants.