Pasir hor: The Chicha 2 Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Pasir Hor is set to become operational in September, aiming to benefit more than 13,000 consumers with improved water supply services. State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin announced that the RM54.98 million project, which began in 2024, has reached 97 percent of its physical progress.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chicha 2 WTP, boasting a capacity of 20 million litres per day (MLD), will provide treated water to consumers in Pasir Hor, Telipot, Kota Seribong, Mulong, and Tunjong. The 1.84-hectare facility employs groundwater sourced through a 100-metre-deep excavation process and an aeration system to produce high-quality treated water, Dr Izani shared with reporters during a visit to the project site.

The plant's completion is expected to facilitate the reactivation of approximately 10,000 inactive consumer accounts in the region, granting them access to treated water. Dr Izani highlighted that the aeration water treatment method used at the Chicha 2 WTP is a first for Kelantan and may be implemented in other water treatment facilities in the future.

Furthermore, Dr Izani noted that Kelantan's water supply challenges are anticipated to be fully addressed by 2030 through the execution of several major infrastructure projects and the construction of new water treatment plants. These initiatives will be phased to ensure adequate treated water supply and to decrease the non-revenue water (NRW) rate from its current level of over 50 percent.

He attributed the present loss of treated water primarily to ageing and leaking pipes, underground pipe bursts, and damaged water meters. Dr Izani urged the public to remain patient as efforts continue to resolve these issues progressively.