Upper Padas storage tank to supply water to Sabah west coast for next 50 years

 By Olivia Miwil - March 3, 2025 @ 11:20pm

Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya handing out raya goodies to orphans from the Rumah Anak Yatim As-Sakinah Putatan during the iftar ceremony in Kota Kinabalu. -NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: The Upper Padas scheme storage tank in Kinarut is expected to provide water supply to the west coast of Sabah for more than 50 years.

Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said that the project is expected to be completed in five years, and a groundbreaking ceremony will be held next month.

"We anticipate it to be fully completed in five years time. It will provide long-term water supply for more than 50 years to the Sabah West Coast," he told the media after attending an 'iftar' event held at Sutera Harbour here today.

Shahelmey, who is also the deputy chief minister, said the upcoming condominium projects in the city would naturally lead to increased demand for water.

He said the federal government's RM320 million allocation would help Sabah kick-start a number of the 18 planned packages to address the state's water woes. (LINK: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/915634/federal-govt-allocates...)

"The programmes being implemented are aimed at reducing water pressure issues, such as replacing old pipes, replacing faulty pumps, upgrading booster pumps, as well as replacing generators and other measures.

"These efforts will help improve the water supply in Sabah. We aim to get back 10 million liters per day when the water capacity is increased," he said, adding currently, the non-revenue water rate stands at 55 per cent.

Shahelmey, who is also Tanjung Keramat assemblyman, said the laying pipes for Phase 2 of the Telibong water plant is expected to be completed by July this year.

It has a production capacity of 80 million litres per day and would minimise water supply issues in the northern Kota Kinabalu area.

Currently, some of the water from the Moyog water plant is shared to cover the northern part of the city.

"The situation will stabilise when the Moyog water supply is fully redirected to Kota Kinabalu's central business district.

"Similarly for Putatan, once the UWSS (Urban Water Supply Scheme) in Kasigui, with a capacity of 5 million litres per day, is completed in May, this can be shared to support the Putatan area."

Earlier, Shahelmey also presented contributions to the residents of Rumah Anak Yatim As-Sakinah Putatan.

Present was Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew and the hotel's deputy chief executive officer Gerry D'Cruz.