Milau Dam to be fully operational by July

KUDAT: It took only six months to fill up the newly completed RM235 million Milau Dam here to the brim with rain water, said Tanjong Kapor assemblyman Datuk Teo Chee Kang.

“It was expected that it might take up to two years to fill up the dam, but due to the extraordinary volume of rainfall in the past few months in the northern region of Sabah, it only took six months.

“Therefore, the allegation by certain quarters that the dam is a white elephant project due to the absence of water source is proven wrong,” he said yesterday.

Teo, who is Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary-general, inspected the Milau Dam together with District Officer Sebastian Lim, district police chief Dawi Osen, Water Works Department district engineer Ir Choo Kim Chiew and heads and officers of the government departments here on March 30.

During the visit, Teo and delegate members were given a briefing by Choo who is also the consultant for the implementation of the project that was initiated in August 2005.

Teo said all the physical structures of the project were now completed, only waiting for the installation of electricity supply cables to the water treatment plant and the dam.

He said the present water level at the dam stood at 34.2 metres and was full with water overflowing through the spillway.

“The impounding area was plugged sometime in August last year. I am made to understand that the power supply cable to the treatment plant and dam is not yet connected because it is not included in the specifications of the contract.

“I urge the Water Department to promptly sort this out with the contractor,” Teo added.

According to him further, since this project was delayed with several extensions of time given for the completion, it should not be further delayed because of technical problems.

Teo lamented that the people in the district had been suffering from water shortage, irregular and unreliable water supply for decades now.

Presently, he said, 70 per cent of pipe water came from the water treatment plant in Kota Marudu.

He pointed out that any temporary stoppage due to repair works or otherwise, dislocation or burst of the long pipeline could cut the water supply to Kudat up to two days to a week.

“Any stoppage of water supply will not only cause inconvenience to the households but also result in economic losses to businesses.

“We are placing high hope on the Milau Dam, which will be able to produce 55 MLD of treated water when it is fully operational,” Teo added.

Meanwhile, according to Choo, the consultant would undergo water cleansing process called aeriation, which means pumping air into the dam water.

It is normal for such process to take up to two months. Meanwhile, the consultant will also do regular testings to ensure that the quality of water meets the required standard for human consumption.

Choo said the dam is expected to be fully commissioned by July this year.

Commenting on Choo’s statement, Teo reckoned that while waiting for the installation of the power supply cable, the consultant should power the aeriation by generators.

In the mean time, he said the management company must be ready to operate immediately after the handing over of the project to the Water Department in July.

He said it is time for all parties concerned to ensure no more delay and work towards the target of commissioning the project by July.

“The authority should also look into upgrading the water distribution system to maximise the benefit of the new dam.

“It is a mockery that some of the nearby villages such as Kampung Milau and Kampung Parapat Laut still do not enjoy pipe water,” Teo said.