SSDS to take over Bintulu central sewerage system Jan 1
Nevertheless, the desludging of septic tanks at private premises will continue to remain under BDA as a local authority.
BINTULU: The management, operations and maintenance of Bintulu central sewerage system and services by Bintulu Development Authority ( BDA) for the past 30 years will be taken over by the Sewerage Services Department of Sarawak (SSDS) starting Jan 1.
BDA deputy chairman Haidar Khan Asghar Khan said the decision was made by the state government in October to place the management, operations and development of the centralised system under one body.
“Nevertheless, the desludging of septic tanks at private premises will continue to remain under BDA as a local authority,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bintulu yesterday.
He said the department, which falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, had similarly rendered their expertise under the centralised sewerage services to parts of Kuching North City Commission and Kuching South City Council.
The department, which is now building a centralised sewerage system in Miri City Council, also
Haidar Khan Asghar Khan
operates septic sludge treatment plants in Miri and Sibu.
“The department will eventually replace the oxidation ponds in Bintulu with more efficient treatment plants including replacing the aging sewerage lines.”
Haidar said the handing-over process to be done in phases would involve 21 oxidation ponds, a sequence batch reactor, an extended aeration and four units of Imhoff tanks. Other assets are 80 pump stations, 185,529-metre sewer lines, machinery, vehicles and equipment.
In terms of manpower, he said the 10 workers under the existing BDA team would be attached to SSDS Bintulu during the nine to 12 months’ transition period.
“We assure the public that the handing-over will be as smooth and seamless as possible with no financial implication or burden to the rate payers.
“BDA will continue to render whatever assistance to ensure continuity and smooth running of the services during the transition,” said Haidar.
He said an official handing over ceremony would be held next year at a venue, time and date to be decided later. Meanwhile, BDA general manager Muhamad Yakup Kari assured the public that there would be no increase of rate or charges during the transition period.
“The department ( SSDS) will maintain the existing services. Please give your cooperation,” he said.
Complaints and feedback can still be channelled through BDA Hotline at 086-332277, 086-336600 and 013-8362277. A department spokesperson, Emiliani Geliga, said the biggest treatment plant here (Tanjung Batu Central Treatment Plant) is capable of serving 50,000 households.