Kuala lumpur: The long-standing water supply problems in Tawau are expected to be resolved before the end of next year with the completion of the RM450.5 million Tawau Water Supply Scheme Phase III project. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the project, which includes the construction of a dam to supply raw water to the Cinta Mata 1 and Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), was progressing according to schedule despite the contractor seeking an extension of time.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, emphasizing that it remains on track for completion before the end of 2027. Despite the contractor's request for an extension, the Chief Minister assured that the administration is committed to resolving the inherited issue by allocating necessary funds to improve facilities for the people.
He mentioned the state government's readiness to consider additional funding for the project if required, based on reports from the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). During a working visit to the Tawau Dam and Cinta Mata 2 WTP construction sites, the Chief Minister highlighted the administration's proactive approach to addressing the water supply challenges.
Rodney Tinggas, JANS Monitoring Branch senior assistant director and project manager, stated that construction of the Tawau Dam under Phase III of the Tawau Water Supply Scheme had reached 74.04 percent completion as of July 25. The project aims to mitigate flood risks in downstream Tawau while enhancing raw water storage capacity.
The initiative includes the construction of a dam with a storage capacity of 30 million cubic metres and the installation of 11.6 kilometres of 700-millimetre raw water pipelines to Cinta Mata 1, Cinta Mata 2, and Utara WTPs. These facilities will collectively have a treated water production capacity of 161 million litres per day.
The RM299.9 million Cinta Mata 2 WTP, scheduled for completion on July 22, 2028, will have a treatment capacity of 30 million litres per day. As of July 25, it had achieved 16.08 percent physical progress and is expected to benefit approximately 42,000 consumers in Tawau and surrounding areas.
Currently, Tawau has 53,133 registered water accounts, with water production standing at 130 million litres per day, falling short of the demand of 142 million litres per day.