TUTONG

WATER supplies across the nation are expected to improve following the completion of the coastal pipes project which is to be fully operational by the end of next year.

Built along the Tutong-Muara Highway, the project that began in March 2012 includes the installation of main pipes from Bukit Barun Treatment Plant in Tutong to the Brunei-Muara District and is expected to act as a reserve water supply providing clean water to Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB).

“The project is near 91 per cent completion,” said the Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman during a visit to the project site yesterday.

The project, which cost over $85.8 million, consists of two pipelines with the underground one running over 46km and is about 42km completed. The pipeline above ground has so far completed for 4km of its 12km.

The contract was awarded to consultants Othman and Associates Consulting Engineers with Swee Sdn Bhd as its main contractor. “The pipes should be completed in October and will act as a constant supply to the housing schemes and new locations as a guarantee that our water supplies will not be disrupted once it is fully operational,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi.

Additionally, the completion of the coastal pipelines will be able to increase and improve water supplies to the existing water tanks across the country.

In a previous report, it was sta-ted that the 65km pipeline will enable the transfer of 80 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water from the Bukit Barun Water Treatment Plant to Terunjing Reservoir in Brunei-Muara.

Prior to the site visit, the minister, accompanied by a delegation of officers from the ministry, visited the project’s site office in Terunjing to get updates of the current progress of the coastal pipe-line project.

The Brunei Times