Equal distribution of clean water in Jakarta is a challenge towards a global city
The DKI Provincial Government continues to strive to expand the coverage of clean water services to the north.
This article has been translated using AI. See Original .
About AI Translated Article
Please note that this article was automatically translated using Microsoft Azure AI, Open AI, and Google Translation AI. We cannot ensure that the entire content is translated accurately. If you spot any errors or inconsistencies, contact us at hotline@kompas.id, and we'll make every effort to address them. Thank you for your understanding.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Equal distribution and issues of clean water coverage in Jakarta are serious challenges to becoming a global city. This is because not all Jakarta residents can access these basic needs, especially in the northern region. Perumda PAM Jaya is also targeting a target of 77,000 new pipe connections by 2024 throughout the DKI Jakarta area.
Member of the D Commission of the Jakarta Regional Council from the Golkar Faction, Judistira Hermawan, stated that the need for clean water is a challenge for Jakarta as a global city after relinquishing its capital status. Until the end of 2023, clean water in Jakarta will only reach 67 percent of the population.
"The availability of clean water should be thought through carefully and evenly distributed. This is especially important for Jakarta's interests in the next 3.5 to 10 years, with its status as a Special Region of Jakarta as a global city," he said on Saturday (4/5/2024).
Judistira added that the issue poses a serious challenge for the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov). This is because the shortage of clean water is exacerbated by differences in water quality between regions. For example, there is a difference in water quality between South Jakarta and North Jakarta.
"We know that the water quality or taste in North Jakarta is different from the water quality in West Jakarta, let alone in South Jakarta. In North Jakarta, the water is slightly salty," said Judistira.
Therefore, DKI Jakarta Provincial Government Jakarta is deemed to need to immediately design programs in the field of water supply that can have a broad and equitable impact on all Jakarta residents.
"In 2025, we want to see better quality in terms of management and development in Jakarta. Especially in the equal distribution of clean water," said Judistira.
The DKI DPRD also urges the DKI Provincial Government to provide proper sanitation, among other things, to help overcome stunting or tengkes in particular as well as the health and welfare of the community in general.
Also read: Jakarta Potentially Loses IDR 202 Billion Per Month due to Water Leaks
Because sanitation is considered not only through improving nutritional intake, but also improving the living environment, such as providing clean water and good sanitation. Handling it must be done by incorporating specific and sensitive interventions by mobilizing the resources and programs held by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
City planning expert from Trisakti University, Nirwono Joga, stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government and PAM Jaya must also ensure the best service for residents regarding the availability of clean water. In addition, they must ensure clear and odorless water quality, guaranteed daily water supply quantity, sufficient continuity of water production, and no leaking pipeline networks.
The DKI provincial government is also deemed necessary to optimize the provision of sustainable sanitation services by providing a domestic wastewater management system (SPALD). By doing so, it can improve access to wastewater services, improve environmental quality, prevent diseases caused by groundwater quality, as well as provide alternative sources of raw water and clean water.
"The sanitation issue in Jakarta should be a serious concern so that people in all corners of Jakarta have a good sanitation environment. The DKI Provincial Government must establish a communal wastewater treatment plant at the RT/RW/village/district level so that wastewater management can be completed at each level in a graded manner," he continued.
Regarding clean water and sanitation services, Nirwono continued, the Jakarta Provincial Government must immediately integrate them. Because, so far, clean water services still have some issues remaining.
The Jakarta provincial government needs to immediately design programs in the field of water supply that can have wide-ranging and equitable impacts for all Jakarta residents.
"For example, they have not been able to serve areas that are in great need, such as in the settlements of North Jakarta. Similarly, sanitation has not yet been fully successful. There are still residents who defecate on the riverbanks," he said.
Nirwono also believes that the Jakarta Provincial Government needs to immediately develop a vision so that Jakarta residents can directly drink from the tap, like in Singapore and other developed countries' major cities. Additionally, the wastewater pipeline network must be separated from the city's water channels or drainage.
Increase clean water supply
In response to this, the Acting Secretary of the Jakarta Water Resources Agency (SDA), Hendri, stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government is currently increasing the supply of clean water through permanent or stationary water treatment plants (IPA) and the construction of reservoirs and embung.
"The DKI Water Resources Agency supports the program to improve access to clean water services for the community through the construction of clean water treatment facilities by the agency, namely the provision of Mobile Water Treatment Plants," he said.
In addition, Jakarta's Department of Water Resources also provides water tank trucks to assist areas experiencing water crises. They also create reservoirs or water conservation ponds and policies related to clean water management.
Also read: Jakarta is a Global City, Between the Certainty of the Economic Machine and Agglomeration Issues
"We also support the clean water piping service program by Perumda PAM Jaya to achieve 100% piping service by 2030," said Hendri.
As for Perumda PAM Jaya, they aim to install 77,000 new pipe connections throughout the DKI Jakarta region by 2024. This target has never been seen before in any other PDAM, so they will have to work exceptionally hard to achieve it.
"Our target this year is 77,000 new pipe connections. "This is a figure that has never been experienced by a city to connect water," said PAM Jaya Main Director Arief Nasrudin.
Arief stated that the PAM Jaya service has currently reached 9,000 and is heading towards 13,000 new connections. In addition, he hopes that the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) will take over water resources that can be obtained to support this target.
PAM Jaya has also completed the construction of four communal reservoirs or large-scale clean water storage facilities to meet the water supply needs of communities in several areas in DKI Jakarta. The existence of these communal reservoirs will be beneficial for 42,000 residents with 7,560 pipe connections.
Also read: Crisis Continues, Clean Water in Bekasi Still Smells
Previously, the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, stated that the provision of clean water and the reduction of traffic congestion are priority programs after the Indonesian capital moves from DKI Jakarta to the National Capital (IKN) in East Kalimantan.
"After the capital moved, one of Jakarta's top priority programs is to increase the DKI government's ability to provide clean water service," said Heru.
Regarding the clean water service program in DKI Jakarta, Heru stated that PAM Jaya, together with the central government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, is currently fixing and improving matters related to clean water preparation.
"PAM Jaya is currently working on improving and fixing together with the central government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, including the Karian Dam to the Jatiluhur Regional Drinking Water Supply System," he said.
Heru mentioned that currently 69 percent of Jakarta residents can enjoy clean piped water services from PAM Jaya as of April 2024. However, there is still a need for revitalization of secondary and primary pipe repairs.
Our target this year is 77,000 new pipe connections. This is a figure that has never been experienced by a city in terms of connecting water.
According to Heru, the problem of clean water mostly occurs in the northern region of Jakarta. His party continues to make efforts to expand the coverage of clean piped water services to the north.