IPOH: By 2030, 95% of major cities in the country are expected to have modern connected sewerage services, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister. He stated that this target was set by the government to address the threat of pollution from sewage and to increase access to clean water supply and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts were highlighted during the launch of the Papan 2 Regional Sewerage Treatment Plant (RSTP) near Pusing on Saturday (Oct 7).
Nik Nazmi emphasized the government’s commitment to improve the level of sewerage services in the country through the development of modern treatment plants. To comply with all regulations, all types of sewage discharged into rivers or the environment will undergo complete treatment. The Federal Government has allocated a significant amount of funds to ensure efficient sewerage infrastructure planning is carried out nationwide. This includes the construction of treatment plants and the upgrading of existing ineffective or small plants that are not cost-effective in order to meet the needs of the country’s population growth.
Nik Nazmi explained that the development of sewerage services in high-density urban areas follows the concept of regionalization, which involves building treatment plants at an appropriate scale to cater to larger communities. This method increases efficiency through economies of scale while reducing the construction of small plants in new developments. In addition to the Papan 2 plant in Perak, similar operational plants are situated in Pulau Pangkor and Assam Kumbang in Taiping. The Ministry’s secretary-general (Water and Sewerage), Dr. Ching Thoo Kim, mentioned that RSTP projects are also planned in Kelantan and Alor Setar in Kedah.
The modern Papan 2 Regional Sewerage Treatment Plant (RSTP) near Pusing.
Overall, the government aims to ensure that 95% of major cities in the country have modern connected sewerage services by 2030. This is part of their efforts to combat pollution from sewage and enhance access to clean water and sanitation. The development of modern treatment plants and the compliance with regulations regarding sewage discharge into rivers and the environment are top priorities. Through the allocation of funds, efficient sewerage infrastructure planning and construction will be carried out nationwide. The concept of regionalization will be adopted in high-density urban areas to optimize efficiency and reduce the construction of small plants. The launch of the Papan 2 RSTP near Pusing showcases the government’s commitment to improving sewerage services, with similar operational plants already in place in other locations and future projects planned in Kelantan and Alor Setar.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
