SEREMBAN: Work on the RM295mil Sungai Ngoi-ngoi water treatment plant proposed some six years ago is set to begin next month, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

       He said the project, which will be able to produce an additional 150 million litres of water a day for consumers in Seremban, Nilai, Sendayan and the Malaysian Vision Valley area, was necessary due to the increase in demand.

       “The project is expected to take two years to complete. There is a pressing need for a new plant due to the increase in demand for treated water, especially in Seremban,” he said after witnessing the signing of a collective agreement between Syarikat Air Negri Sembilan (Sains) and its workers’ union.

       The plant will be built next to the Sungai Ngoi-ngoi 1 facility which was commissioned in 2014. Raw water for the plant will be sourced from several rivers in Jelebu such as Sungai Teriang and Sungai Geylang. It will then be transported in pipes and a 13km tunnel.

       Aminuddin said the Gemas water treatment plant would also be upgraded at a cost of RM14.2mil.

       The plant currently produces some 27 million litres of water a day for 6,900 account holders in Palong and Gemas.

       Upon completion of upgrading work, the plant will be able to produce some 33 million litres of water a day. He said another RM12.8mil would be spent to build a balancing reservoir at Batu 5, Sg Terip.

       “Once the facility is built, Sains will be able to supply water to consumers in Seremban, Seremban 2 and Senawang directly and also stabilise water supply in the said areas.

       “The project will start once the tender closes next month,” he said, adding that the move would benefit some 173,000 account holders.

       Separately, Aminuddin said Sains incurred losses of some RM12.5mil to flood-related damage at its treatment plants and related facilities.

       He said the Pantai treatment plant, which was among the worst affected, had yet to restart operations.