KUANTAN: Building pre-sedimentation tanks are among initiatives by the state government to tackle the high turbidity in the raw water source flowing into water treatment plants in Raub.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the RM18 million set aside by the Federal Government had allowed Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) to embark on the works including building three pre-sedimentation tanks at the water treatment plants in Sungai Bilut, Sungai Semantan and Sungai Klau.
"The aim is to reduce the high turbidity level in raw water before it flows into the three treatment plants. The tanks will now help meet the quality set by the Health Ministry and supply improved treated water to consumers.
"The project is expected to be completed in 18 months, which include designing works. The state government will try to expedite the completion date so those affected in Raub can enjoy cleaner treated water earlier," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said to ensure raw water supply was sufficient during the dry season in Lipis, the state government would kick-off a "Off-River Storage (ORS)" pilot project at a cost of RM12 million this year.
"Besides ensuring water supply was not affected during the dry season, ORS will reduce the turbidity level in raw water and lower the operation cost to treat water at treatment plants.
"We hope the project will serve as an alternative to ensure continuous water supply for the people in Lipis," he said, adding the project would take about 19 months to complete.
Wan Rosdy was previously reported saying that six areas in Lipis namely Jelai, Kuala Medang, the Tanjung Gahai agropolitan project, Kuala Koyan, Kampung Bertam and the Rumah Makmur housing scheme - will benefit from the storage project.
It is learnt that both the projects in Raub and Lipis were currently in the design stage by PAIP.