Jakarta (ANTARA) - Activists from various communities are urging the\ncapital\u2019s residents to stop using groundwater as an effort to prevent\nfurther land subsidence that could lead to Jakarta \u201csinking\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe phenomenon of land subsidence in Jakarta is now at a worrying\nlevel. The massive use of groundwater, especially by high-rise\nbuildings, is accused of being the main factor accelerating the\npotential for Jakarta to \u2018sink\u2019,\u201d said Anwar Sjani, Chairman of the\nWarga Jaga Jakarta Community, in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that many high-rise buildings, hotels, and apartments\nin Jakarta are secretly exploiting groundwater to cut operational\ncosts.<\/p>\n
According to Anwar, many tall buildings already have access to piped\nwater, but in practice, they still use groundwater.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis greatly affects the water discharge, ultimately causing the\nland surface to subside,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He urged the government not only to issue policies through Jakarta\nProvincial Regulation Number 5 of 2026 on Energy and Water Efficiency in\nBuildings, but also to impose strict sanctions on building managers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut be bold in giving strict sanctions up to sealing buildings for\nviolators,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jakarta community figure Sumitro stated that the quality\nof Jakarta\u2019s groundwater is not fit for consumption. Nearly 95 percent\nof groundwater in the Jakarta area, especially in North and West\nJakarta, is no longer fit for consumption even after being boiled.<\/p>\n
He called for public awareness of Jakarta\u2019s contaminated groundwater\nand emphasised not sacrificing long-term health for mere savings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe suggest that the government form a special task force to audit\nwater usage in commercial sites and drinking water companies to ensure\nthere is no illegal exploitation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Previously, PAM Jaya targeted 100 percent access to clean water\nservices across the DKI Jakarta area by 2029, thus requiring\nacceleration in realising that project.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccelerating piped water services is a strategic step to address\nenvironmental challenges and the needs of Jakarta\u2019s residents,\u201d said\nAnugrah Esa, Director of Strategy and Business at PAM JAYA, in Jakarta\non Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He affirmed that PAM Jaya\u2019s target is to ensure all Jakarta residents\nhave access to decent piped water by 2029.<\/p>\n
This acceleration, he said, is not only related to public services\nbut also supports achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)\ntargets or sustainable development programmes, particularly access to\nclean water and sanitation.<\/p>\n
In addition, the use of piped water is expected to curb groundwater\nexploitation, which has so far been the main cause of land subsidence in\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
He explained that to achieve the 2029 target, PAM Jaya is preparing\nseveral strategic steps, including expanding service coverage to reach\nall areas of Jakarta. Then adding around two million new customers and\ncarrying out gradual revitalisation of the pipe network.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activists-urge-residents-to-stop-using-groundwater-to-prevent-jakarta-from-sinking-1775217045", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }