Malaysia: RM4m project to transfer raw water to critical dams in Johor

RIZALMAN HAMMIM New Straits Times 21 Oct 15;

JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government has started a RM4 million project to transfer additional raw water into two dams hit by critically-low water levels.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the project is expected to provide up to 30 million litres per day of additional raw water to the Sungai Layang and Sungai Lebam dams.

"The mechanical and civil engineering works for the project have started and we expect the water transfer process to begin by the end of December," said Khaled in a statement.

The project will transfer between 10 to 15 million litres of raw water per day via a 15.3km-long network of pipes from Sungai Papan to Sungai Lebam.

Another 15 million litres of water will be transferred via a 5km-long network of pipes from Sungai Tiram to the Sungai Layang dam.

Khaled said the allocation for the project was given through SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Once completed, it is expected to restore water levels at the Sungai Layang and Sungai Lebam dams, which provide treated water to parts of Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang as well as to parts of Kota Tinggi.

"The state government is aware of the difficulties faced by the residents in the affected areas since the introduction of the scheduled water supply. We will continue to find short and long-term solutions to restore the water supply," said Khaled.

He said other efforts will continue to be taken until the state government is satisfied that enough had been done to boost the water levels at the two dams.
These efforts include cloud seeding which began Oct 12 and water supply rationing, which has prolonged the water reserves at the two dams.

Khaled said these two initiatives have enabled four affected zones in the city, namely Taman Johor Jaya, Damasara Aliff, the Tebrau 1, 2 and 4 Industrial Areas and the Mount Austin Light Industrial Area, to be excluded from water rationing this month.

He said the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj), with the cooperation of SAJ Holdings, will continue to monitor the water levels at the affected dams as rainfall has not shown any positive effect on the water levels.

Khaled also called upon local experts to provide suggestions and feedback to identify the best methods to improve the water supply and solve issues affecting the water supply at the two dams.


NELSON BENJAMIN The Star 23 Oct 15;

JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes to increase water levels in two of its dams through a RM4mil water transfer project.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the project would help to add about 30 million litres of water per day (MLD) for both the Sg Layang and Sg Lebam dams. The dams are in the red due to falling water levels in recent months.

“This project funded by the state government will be carried out by Syarikat Air Johor and initial construction works has started and we hope that the water transfer will start in December,” he said, adding that for the Lebam dam, water would be taken from Sg Papan and would involve laying about 15.3km of pipes.

This will add some 10 to 15 MLD for the Lebam dam daily.

“As for the Sg Layang dam, we will be laying 5km of pipes to channel 15 MLD from Sg Tiram.”

Khaled said the project would help increase the water levels at both the dams, which were supplying treated water to Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang.

“The state government understands the inconvenience suffered since the water scheduling exercise started,” he said, hoping that the project would help end the scheduled water supply for residents in Taman Johor Jaya, Damansara Aliff, Tebrau industrial estates and Mount Austin light Industrial area.

Khaled said the state government was constantly looking for solutions to restore the water levels at both the dams.

“We believe that the water transfer will help lengthen the lifespan of the dams too.

“We have also been carrying out cloud seeding operations since Oct 12,” he added, adding that so far the rainfall in the area has yet to show positive results in increasing the dams water levels.

The level at the Sungai Layang dam in Pasir Gudang, which supplies water to about 580,000 consumers, is now at 19.55m. The critical level is 23.5m.

The level at the Sg Lebam in Kota Tinggi, which provides water to 53,000 consumers, is at 8.56m, while the critical level is 12.27m. This has led to the scheduled water supply being extended for a third month up to Nov 16.