6,423km-long old water pipelines need repair - Syabas

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has identified 6,423km-long old water pipelines in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya that are clearly in need of repair.

Its Project and Non-Revenue Water Division executive director Yusof Badawi said of the total, 812km-long of the pipelines had already been repaired, involving a cost of RM400 million.

"The three states have a total of 25,650km of existing water pipelines, 6,423km of which were old and the repair works on these old pipelines had begun since 2005.

"However, since 2008 until now, the project had to be called off as Syabas' capital expenditure (capex) has been frozen by the Selangor government to make way for the restructuring of the water services industry in the three states," he told reporters at a briefing session on old pipeline replacement project in Kampung Baru here Tuesday.

Also present was National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Central Region senior executive Mohammed Amin Mohd Hanifiah.

Yusof said ever since its capex been frozen, Syabas could not implement the project to replace the remaining 5,611km of old water pipelines.

"Nevertheless, Syabas has taken the initiative to reduce the possibility of burst pipes which can cause water disruption by implementing pipeline replacement programme in 30 areas deemed critical in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya," he said.

Among the 30 critical areas are Klang, Ulu Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Kampung Baru, Rawang, Taman Maluri, Petaling Jaya, Puchong, Ampang, Pudu and Hulu Langat.

The first phase of the pipeline replacement project, which began in 2011 and would end in 2014, involved 118.74km of pipes and a cost of RM95 million, while the second phase (2013-2015) would involve 91.76km of pipes and a cost of RM75 million.