INGENIEUR
No Components of Work Quantity Amount (RM mil)
1 Refurbish/Upgrade of STPs
to New Standards including
Rationalisation
4,985 nos. 6,719
2 Sewer Rehabilitation 1,500km 1,725
3 Sludge Treatment Facilities 63 nos. 3,919
4 Regional Sewerage Facilities 31 nos. 29,519
5 Property Connections 804,244 nos. 6,936
6 Upgrade from pour flushes to ISTs 836,470 units 2,885
7 Sullage Connections 244,034 units 701
Figure 7: The Draft Proposed National Capital Expenditures
Projects for the Future
Sullage from washing, cleaning and bathing
activities in households contains significant
concentrations of fat, oil and detergent
substances which collectively are undesirable
and harmful to the quality of the river water
and aquatic life. Before the imposition of the
Malaysian Sewerage Industry Guidelines (MSIG)
in 1995, sullage was not connected to the
sewerage system. Even today the sullage from
many households is still not discharged into
the sewerage system. Ironically, many of these
are assumed to be connected and served with
proper sewerage systems.
Some households may be located within the
vicinity of public sewer lines but are not connected
and may still use individual septic tanks (IST).
During the early phases of the sewerage
regionalisation project under the GKL Sewerage
Scheme the construction of the main sewer lines,
sewage treatment plants and rationalisation were
based on priorities due to limited funding.
Under the draft proposed National Sewerage
Capital Expenditure Plan (NSCEP), sullage
and property connections are among the
components identified as a priority in fulfilling
the objectives of regionalisation . Under the
30 year-plan of NSCEP for the country (2013-
2042), an estimated budget of RM52 billion in
capital expenditure is required for sewerage
development. (see Figure 7).
However, the actual implementation will
vary depending on short term priorities and
budget availability tied to long term business
plans.
Recommendations and Moving Forward
There is always a compelling reason for investment
in sewerage projects based on needs and priorities
which can be established by:
1. Co-ordination
Better co-ordination between stakeholders
including regulators, planners, certifying agencies,
Government bodies, developers and consultants.
Funding from the Government should be wisely
invested and implemented based on priorities
established through close consultation with
relevant stakeholders. In addition, all developer
driven sewerage projects need to be properly
planned and managed and follow sewerage
policies and catchment strategies to ensure that
implementation is aligned with and supports the
NSCEP’s programme objectives.
2. Centralisation
Where possible, the sewerage system should
be centralised. Any new STP should not be
allowed if developments are within a sewerage
catchment area of an existing regional plant to
avoid any redundancy contrary to the objectives
of regionalisation. Multiple STPs do not promote
comfort nor are they conducive to the environment
surrounding the communities and they increase
operation and maintenance costs.
36 VOL 81 JANUARY-MARCH 2020