Kuala Lumpur: The Sewerage Services Department (JPP) has been asked to study the possibility of designing sewage treatment plants and sewer networks that can help mitigate flash floods, particularly in urban areas. Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir highlighted initiatives such as the implementation of a ‘combined sewer’ to manage both wastewater and stormwater, which could reduce flash floods. He also mentioned the exploration of ‘deep sewers’, similar to those in Singapore, as a potential solution for flood mitigation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Akmal Nasrullah noted significant progress in sewage management, not only through modernization but also by incorporating dual functions. An example cited was the Integrated Sewage Treatment Plant in Lembah Pantai, which includes recreational areas alongside its treatment facilities. Such designs, if considered during the planning stage, could be beneficial for urban areas like Kuala Lumpur in reducing flash flood risks.

The minister shared these insights while officiating the D41 and D42 Package Project: Connection Works from Premises to Public Sewer, covering areas such as Taman Shanghai, Jalan Jugra, Jalan Tan Yew Lai 1, Ampang Hilir, and Jalan Damai. This project is part of the government’s efforts to connect lateral pipes from septic tanks in private homes to public sewer pipes.

In his speech, Akmal Nasrullah explained that this connection aims to decommission septic tanks within homes, offering greater convenience to residents. He highlighted that this change would relieve residents from the annual task of emptying septic tanks and provide an environment free from unpleasant sewage odors.