A pipeline cross-connection in Papar reduces water supply distance from 33km to 10.3km, offering immediate relief as a major plant upgrade continues.
PAPAR: A pipeline cross-connection is providing immediate relief for serious water supply disruptions affecting this district since December.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the link from the Kogopan Water Treatment Plant to the main tank pipeline in Kawang has reduced the supply distance from 33 kilometres to 10.3 kilometres.
The Papar MP said this is a mitigation measure while awaiting the completion of the Kogopan II WTP upgrading project, which began in August 2023.
The capacity of the existing Kogopan plant has also been increased by 10% to meet critical needs in Mukim Kinarut and Kawang.
“To implement this 10% increase in treatment capacity, the works involved include cross-connecting the existing pipeline network from the Kogopan WTP to Mukim Kinarut and Kawang at two locations,” Armizan said in a statement.
He added that the work also involved replacing valves and water pumps at the plant.
The Kogopan II project, with an allocation of about RM365 million, is expected to boost supply capacity from 40 million litres per day to 80 MLD.
On-site upgrade works have been carried out continuously since Jan 9 and are expected to finish by Jan 24.
Armizan noted that a valve replacement process will require a temporary plant shutdown for about 10 hours starting late Tuesday night.
“The temporary shutdown is expected to affect several areas in the Papar district and official information will be issued by the Sabah State Water Department in the near future,” he said.
He assured residents that authorities are doing their utmost to ease the long-standing difficulties.
