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– The Role of the Jabatan Mineral & Geosains
Malaysia
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| The drilling and construction of wells are in progress |
Groundwater which means water naturally stored or flowing in
the underground strata is becoming an important alternative/supple-mentary source
of water supply for every village and school in the rural Sarawak.
During prolonged dry seasons, the role of groundwater as an alternative source
becomes apparent. During this time, rainwater stored in the tanks could not sustain
the daily requirement and the nearby streams and rivers either dry up or are affected
by saline water intrusion particularly in the coastal areas of Sarawak.
The Geological Survey of Malaysia (GSM) then started its systematic hydrogeological
investigation in 1975 with the objective to determine the possibilities of getting
a groundwater source from the shallow aquifers.
But it was not until 1980 that the importance of groundwater as an alternative
or conjunctive source of domestic water had gained its pace in Sarawak. Nowadays,
groundwater in various hydrogeological environments is exploited for domestic
water supply.
The Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (as a result of merger between
the Geological Survey of Malaysia and Mines Department) to date has identified
and developed groundwater source in hard rocks and unconsolidated sediments which
has benefited 60,000 rural population in 35 villages and 7 longhouses mainly in
the coastal areas of Sarawak.
The department is also assisting the Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar (KPLB)
to implement the Projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) – Sistem Alternatif,
and also the Ministry of Education under Projek Pembangunan Pendidikan Luar Bandar
– Bekalan Air.
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| One of the groundwater extraction schemes,
alternative source of water for the remote areas in Sarawak |
Under the Projek BALB – Sistem Alternatif, the department has completed
30 tube wells mainly for rural villages. Examples of these are at Kpg. Sebat,
Kpg. Segong, and Kpg. Krokong in Kuching Division, Kpg. Penasu in Sarikei Division,
Kpg. Bungai, Kpg. Bakam dan Kpg. Beraya in Miri Division, and Kpg. Meritam,
Kpg. Siang-Siang and Kpg. Lintang in Limbang Division.
The yield of the wells commonly range from 1,000 to 10,000 litres per hour and
is able to meet the local consumption.
Under the Projek Pembangunan Pendidikan Luar
Bandar – Bekalan Air, the department has completed 25 tube wells for the
rural schools. Examples of these are at SK Kambug in Kuching Division, SK Sg.
Nyiar in Sri Aman Division, SK Penasu in Sarikei Division, SK Batu 36 Oya and
SK Batu Luking in Sibu Division, SK Poyut, SK Long Lapok and SK Sg. Biar in
Miri Division, SMK Medamit and SK Siang-Siang in Limbang Division, and SK Ng.
Temalat, SK Ng. Kain, SK Ng. Merit and SK Ng. Oyan in Kapit Division.
The groundwater extraction schemes can be grouped into four main schemes, namely
clusters of vertical wells, individual household wells, community household
wells and horizontal well system.
Groundwater extraction scheme that consists of cluster of vertical wells is
found in Kabong, Belawai, Oya, Kuala Tatau, Kpg. Sungai Mas, Kpg. Kuala Sibuti,
Kpg. Kelulit, and Kuala Lawas.
Several schemes are undertaken by the Public Works Department (JKR) to supply
fully-treated water to the local population such as at Kabong, Belawai, Oya,
Kuala Tatau and Kuala Lawas.
For small villages where the houses are scattered far apart, an individual household
well is constructed for every house. This can be seen at Kpg. Sg. China, and
Kpg. Kuala Sempadi-Kuala Gelugor in Kuching Division.
The community household wells are for communal use and this refers to a vertical
well shared by two or more houses such as at Rh. Asin and Rh. Lua in Sibu Division,
Kpg. Sebat and Simpang Bokah in Kuching Division, and Kpg. Bakam and Kpg. Kelulit
in Miri Division.
This type of well also include wells that provide groundwater supply to schools
such as at SRK Kambug and SRK Raso in Kuching Division, SRK Lobang Batu in Samarahan
Division, SRK Batu 36 Oya and SRK Batu Luking in Sibu Division, SRK Rh. Gudang
and SRK Kpg. Beraya in Miri, SRK Ukong, SRK Lubok Tekurok and SRK Lintang in
Limbang Division, and SRK Ng. Merit, SRK Ng. Kain and SRK Ng. Oyan in Kapit
Division.
Horizontal well system in shallow sand aquifer is found in Igan, Paloh, Jebungan,
Loba and Rambungan, and in peat aquifer in Penibong. Each of the horizontal
wells is up to 300 metres long and can produce up to 100 m3/hr or more of groundwater.
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The Mineral and Geoscience Department
Malaysia is committed to serve the people
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The cost of groundwater investigation including well construction for each of
the villages or schools is estimated to range from RM50,000 to RM80,000 depending
on the population size, location, well depth etc.
The department also monitors groundwater quality and well performance of the
existing wells. The department is also involved in the ground demarcation of
water supply catchment area of the Jabatan Kerja Raya, Sarawak.
During the water crisis in Miri in 1998, the Department assisted Lembaga Air
Kawasan Utara (LAKU) to revive the twelve deep groundwater wells as well as
in the supervision of drilling and construction of six additional wells in the
Lambir Wellfield.
In many areas of Sarawak, groundwater development cannot be taken for granted
as potential groundwater aquifers do not occur everywhere in the underground.
Professional and technical inputs from the groundwater experts are necessary
in the groundwater resource development planning. In most areas of Sarawak,
preliminary hydrogeological investigation is compulsory prior to further groundwater
development.
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