KUALA LUMPUR: Water infrastructure development projects have been delayed beyond schedule for nearly three years, involving a cost of RM6.15 billion.

According to the Auditor General's 2/2024 report, 145 out of 712 (20.4 per cent) projects were delayed between 86 and 1,076 days.

"Total costs audited projects valued at RM19.899 billion for the period of the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK-11) and RMK-12 involved 712 infrastructure water development projects.

"A total of 15 projects were implemented at a total cost of RM5.395 billion," it said.

The audit covered the ministries responsible for managing water resources, including Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, and Energy Transition and Water Transformation.

"The audit team found that there were delays in the implementation of 11 out of 34 Sewerage Services Department's water quality development projects, namely two projects each in Pahang, Perak and Penang, one in Kedah and four in Sabah.

"The cost of projects experiencing delays beyond schedule was RM4.685 billion. The total cost for the 129 National Water Services Commission (SPAN) projects that were delayed was RM68.16 million," it said.

As for treated water projects, four projects in Sabah, Johor and Kedah experienced delays ranging from 324 to 1,076 days, resulting in a total cost of RM926.79 million.

It was also reported that 94.2 per cent of septic tanks were supposed to have been decontaminated for three years, between 2021 and 2023.

The report reveals deficiencies in sewage management nationwide, with sewer coverage ranging from 62.1 to 96.6 per cent.

Kedah, Perlis, Sabah and Kelantan are highlighted for inadequate maintenance of sewage treatment plants.

"Decontamination of septic tanks that were scheduled for 2021 until 2023 has not been done. This represents 623,446 tanks (94.2 per cent).

"Water pressure levels were low in Selangor, Penang, Perlis and Kelantan, all of which did not meet the required levels, fluctuating between 0.4 and 14 per cent in 2022.

"Additionally, 362 tank systems and 129 pump houses, making up 11 per cent of the total, are not operational," it said.

The National Audit Department said it conducted sampling across the affected areas, including in Kedah, Perlis, Selangor, Sabah and Kelantan.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1072200/ags-report-delays-water-infrastructure-development-projects-cost-rm615b