This will ensure the water sector is sustainable and every Malaysian can have access to affordable, reliable, sufficient, clean, and quality water supply and sanitation systems

by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic by BERNAMA

THE government has allocated RM1.47 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to develop sustainable and effective infrastructure through the implementation of sewerage projects nationwide.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the goal of the 2040 Water Sector Transformation is to make the water sector sustainable, with access to affordable, reliable, sufficient, clean and quality water supply and sanitation systems for every Malaysians.

“This large investment is to ensure the planning of an efficient sewerage infrastructure prioritises the needs of the people. 

“It is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No 6 which aims to increase access to clean water supply and sanitation,” he said in a speech during the launch of the Langat Centred Sewage Treatment Plant (Langat CSTP) and the Langat Eco Park under the Langat Sewerage Project yesterday.

The construction of Langat CSTP and the connection of the Sewerage Pipeline Network in the Langat River Basin Catchment Area by Design and Construction is one of the projects under the Greater KL initiative, under the River of Life programme.

The project has been implemented by the Sewerage Services Department, with MMC Pembetungan Langat Sdn Bhd as the main design and construction contractor and the AJP-MFA Coalition as the project management consultant.

Nik Nazmi also said the Langat CSTP and the Langat Eco Park were built at a cost of RM1.6 billion under 10MP. 

It can process a sewage flow of 207,000 cu m per day or 920,000 population equivalents over a catchment area of 77.6 sq km that includes Cheras Batu 11, Cheras Jaya, Baiduri Village and Kajang 1 and 3.

The project intends to enhance the coverage of quality sewerage services while also helping to protect Sungai Langat’s water quality through the release of treated effluent that complies with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Wastewater) Regulations 2009.

The plant’s construction also incorporates new approaches from the circular economy and green development, such as rainwater gathering, effluent reuse, biogas and solar energy for sewage treatment plant use.

It also aligns with the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030, which, among others, aims to reuse 33% of the bio-effluent produced by sewage treatment plants by 2030. 

Cultivating a circular economy from sewage treatment by-products can be a significant contributor to environmental conservation efforts, as well as a future income generator for the water sector in the country.

“I hope that Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd as a licensed sewage operator can further develop the green technology initiatives available at this plant based on the waste-to-wealth concept from the production of by-products of sewage treatment (by-products) such as bio-effluent, biogas and biomass,” Nik Nazmi added.

The plant, which is located at Kampung Sungai Balak in Kajang, Selangor, also has sports and recreation facilities known as Langat Eco Park, which is built on top of the sewage plant.

It consists of 16 badminton courts, sepak takraw courts (two), basketball courts (two), futsal courts (tw0), a children’s play area and a community hall.

The project also entails the decommissioning of 152 minor sewage plants in the Langat sewerage catchment where the sewage flow from these closed plants is connected to a new sewerage pipe network system developed along 108km through 12 pump stations.

With the completion of the megaproject, it is expected that sewerage operating and maintenance costs will be reduced, as these small and inefficient sewage treatment plants will be decommissioned and demolished, reducing the potential for river pollution and ensuring the sustainability of water resources.