SIBU: The production capacity of Salim Water Treatment Plant is set to double to 300 million liters per day (MLD) under a RM300 million upgrading project aimed at meeting the growing demand for water supply in Sibu Division.

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the increase from its current capacity of 150 MLD is crucial as the plant is operating without sufficient reserve margin.

"The Sarawak Government, under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier, recognises the need to allocate substantial funding to upgrade the Salim Water Treatment Plant.

"The entire project costs RM300 million, fully funded by the Sarawak Government, and represents the largest upgrading project undertaken for a single water treatment plant in Sarawak," he said.

He said this while speaking to inaugurate the Rantau Panjang Acute Water Treatment System here on Tuesday.

According to him, the project is expected to be completed early next year.

"This capacity expansion will help meet the water supply needs of residential areas, villages, longhouses and expanding industrial areas," he said.

Apart from Sibu, efforts to improve water supply in Sarawak's central region also involve the development of several other water treatment plants, including those in Kanowit, Song and Kapit. -UKASnews