MIRI, June 10 — Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Water) has confirmed that the 1,100mm main pipeline at Mile 7 Miri-Bintulu Road is the source of a major leak here.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page around midnight, Sarawak Water said the confirmation followed system testing and isolation works carried out on Tuesday night on the 750mm pipeline, which verified that the pipeline is in good condition and not affected by any leakage.

“Following the confirmation, the scheduled repair works on June 10 will proceed as planned and will involve repair works on the 1,100mm main pipeline.

“The works are expected to cause temporary water supply interruptions and low water pressure in several affected areas as previously communicated through the official infographic issued earlier,” it said.

The affected areas are Krokop, Jee Foh, Jalan Bulan Sabit, Piasau Area, Pulau Melayu/Taman Bayshore, Pujut, Vista Perdana, Desa Bahagia, Permyjaya, Desa Pujut, Desa Indah, Southlake, Tudan, Senadin, Lutong/Baram, Kampung Masjid, Sungai 7, Lambir, Kampung Bukit Beraya and Bukit Song pump station (under the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department), KFC Tanjong, Jalan Temenggong Oyong Lawai Jau, Jalan Brighton, Sunlight Garden, Woodhouse Garden, Marina Commercial Centre Centre Point, Town Area, Pelita Commercial Centre, Jalan Miri Pujut, Kampung Lereng Bukit, Pujut Padang Kerbau, Lambir Prison area, New Barrack Sarawak Water, and Kampung Muhibbah, Kuala Baram.

The utility provider added it will provide water collection centres to enable the public to obtain clean water supply during the temporary interruption throughout the repair period.

“Consumers are advised to store sufficient water for essential use and to practise prudent water usage throughout the disruption and subsequent recovery period,” Sarawak Water said, adding it would continue to provide updates from time to time through its official communication channels.

The list of areas in Miri, Sarawak affected by the water supply interruption. — The Borneo Post pic

On Tuesday, Sarawak Water acting chief executive officer Malseni Jamal said if the leak is traced to the 1,100mm pipeline, more than 70,000 consumers, which is equivalent to 70 per cent of the city’s population, could be affected by a supply interruption.

She also said repair works would begin on Wednesday (June 10), with valve closure scheduled for 5pm.

For more information, contact Sarawak Water on 085-426626. — The Borneo Post 

MIRI, June 12 — Repair works on the damaged 1,100mm main pipeline at Mile 7 of Jalan Miri-Bintulu were completed at 8.30am, with water supply expected to be restored to affected areas in stages over the next 12 hours.

Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang said Sarawak Water is refilling the system, stabilising the distribution network, and carrying out flushing activities to ensure water quality is satisfactory before supply is fully restored to consumers.

“I have been informed that the repair works on the 1,100mm main pipeline at Mile 7, Jalan Miri-Bintulu were successfully completed in full earlier this morning at approximately 8.30am,” he said in a statement.

“Water supply is expected to be restored in stages over the next approximately 12 hours, as a large-scale distribution system requires time to be refilled, stabilised, and brought back to normal operating pressure.”

He thanked all parties involved in the repair operation, including Sarawak Water and various government agencies that worked around the clock to complete the repairs and assist affected residents.

Among them were the Rural Water Supply Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Public Works Department, Sarawak Energy, Miri Resident’s Office, Miri District Office, Miri District Education Office, Miri City Council, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Red Crescent, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Miri Hospital, elected representatives, media personnel, and volunteers.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak, I would also like to extend my appreciation to all consumers in the Miri Division for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout the period of water supply disruption,” he said.

Liwan also expressed hope that the restoration process would proceed smoothly and that all affected areas would receive their normal water supply again as soon as possible.

Heavy rainfall at the site early Thursday morning resulted in difficult working conditions and temporarily hampered repair progress.

Repair works began on Wednesday following a valve closure at 5pm, with completion initially targeted for 5pm on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Sarawak Water acting chief executive officer Malseni Jamal said the supply interruption due to the repairs affected more than 70,000 consumers or about 70 per cent of the city’s population. — The Borneo Post