Kedah to use pumps to boost water supply

ALOR STAR: The Kedah government is to apply for 10 booster pumps worth about RM1 million from the federal government, to ensure an uninterrupted water supply in the state by 2020.

State Housing and Local Government, Water Supply, Water Resources and Energy Committee chairman Datuk Badrol Hisham Hashim said today the application would be made in stages through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada), as the implementing agency, would identify the areas in need of the pumps, valued at about RM100,000 each, he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the pumps had been installed in two Padang Terap villages, namely Kampung Bukit Nambua and Kampung Nako, and currently benefit more than 1,000 villagers.

Sik and Baling were two of the districts facing low water pressure, he said, adding that Sada would identify villages in these districts in need of the pumps.

Badrol Hisham also said that water supply had been fully restored for 63,000 people in northern Pokok Sena, Pendang and southern Padang Terap after the Pokok Sena Water Treatment Plant was commisioned in November last year.

The federal government had also provided almost RM1 billion to upgrade five water treatment plants in the state in two years time, which would solve any problem of adequate water supply in the rural areas, he said, adding that the plants are in Pelubang, Jenun Baru, Bukit Selambau, Sungai Limau and Lubuk Buntar Lama. — Bernama