Major upgrades aim to meet rising demand as Johor prepares for population growth and new economic zones.

Johor is ramping up its water infrastructure with two new treatment plants worth RM184 million, part of a broader strategy to meet rapidly rising demand across the state.

Two New Plants to Strengthen Johor’s Water Supply

The Johor government has announced two major water treatment projects—Semanggar and Layang 2 Phase Two—valued at a combined RM184 million. State Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Fazli Salleh said the Semanggar plant, costing RM70 million with a 50 MLD (million litres per day) capacity, is slated for completion next year to support the Kulai and Sedenak regions.

Layang 2 Phase Two to Boost Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri

The RM114 million Layang 2 Phase Two plant will add another 160 MLD to Johor’s network once completed in 2027. It is expected to support the growing water needs of Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri—two of the state’s most rapidly expanding urban centres.

Additional Large-Scale Projects Already in the Pipeline

Beyond the RM184 million investment, two more major facilities are in the design stage: Semanggar 3 (RM750 million) and Kayu Ara Pasong (RM537 million). With a combined future capacity of 290 MLD, these plants will further reinforce supply across Johor Bahru, Kulai, and Pontian as part of Johor’s long-term infrastructure roadmap.

Kayu Ara Pasong Expansion to Serve Over 46,000 Accounts

The Kayu Ara Pasong plant was initially proposed with a 30 MLD capacity. However, following the implementation of the Sungai Pontian Besar riverside reservoir, which supplies 90 MLD, the state now plans to expand the plant’s capacity to 90 MLD. Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad has proposed constructing the first 30 MLD at RM191 million, with the remaining 60 MLD to follow in Phase Two. The project is expected to benefit at least 46,119 consumer accounts in Pontian.

Rising Water Demand Driven by Rapid Economic Growth

Johor currently operates 48 treatment plants producing an average of 2,037 MLD in 2025. Demand, however, is projected to increase significantly due to industrial growth, new data centres, population expansion, and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Projections show water demand climbing to 2,700 MLD by 2030, 3,000 MLD by 2035, and 3,300 MLD by 2040.

RM1.02 Billion Rezoning Works to Improve Distribution Efficiency

In addition to new treatment capacity, the state is investing RM1.02 billion in a major rezoning project to optimise water distribution across Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, and Kulai. The initiative includes upgrading key distribution networks and installing new pipelines from Semanggar to Bukit Kulai and from Masai to U4, ensuring reliable supply to fast-growing urban corridors.

Johor’s multi-billion-ringgit investment in new water treatment plants and distribution upgrades reflects the state’s urgency in securing long-term water resilience. As major projects like the JS-SEZ accelerate regional development, these water infrastructure enhancements are critical for both Malaysians and the wide network of Singapore-linked industries relying on stable and clean water supply.

Sources: Free Malaysia Today (2025) , Bernama (2025)

Keywords: Johor Water Plants, Semanggar Project, Layang 2 Phase Two, Kayu Ara Pasong, Treated Water Demand