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KUALA LUMPUR – The federal government has allocated RM1.7 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan’s (12MP) Third Rolling Plan for sewerage projects throughout the country.
Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said this is part of ongoing efforts to modernise the sewerage infrastructure and provide efficient and quality sewerage services to all Malaysians.
He said, as of now, Malaysia has achieved 85.4% sewerage services coverage in major cities and aims to reach 90% coverage by the end of the 12MP in 2025.
“Modernisation of the country’s sewerage sector involves the process of upgrading ineffective and not cost-effective, as well as closing down, small-sized sewage treatment plants as the population and economic activities grow.
“Such an initiative is also important to ensure effluent discharge complies with the stricter environmental regulations, especially on water resources pollution,” he said in his opening speech at Trenchless Asia 2023 here today. The text of the speech was read out by Sewerage Services Department Director-General Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah.
Nik Nazmi said the ministry has taken the concept of regionalisation when it comes to the development of sewerage infrastructure in high-density urban areas which promotes the building of sewage treatment plants with an appropriate scale to meet the needs of a larger community.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said the country’s sewerage sector has much untapped potential.
“The three by-products of the sewage treatment plant such as bio-solids, bio-effluent, and biogas all have the economic potential for commercialisation.
“Take bio-effluent for example, the government has laid out a specific agenda to utilise treated effluent for a specific purpose.
“Through this initiative, the government is targeting to produce 1,500 MLD (million ℓ per day) reclaimed water by 2030, mostly to be used for non-potable applications and as an alternative water source for specific industries,” he added. – Bernama, May 17, 2023