Water program helpful to villagers<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): The construction of four tanks in Jurumudi
\nBaru subdistrict has helped residents in the village receive
\ncleaner and cheaper water, local residents said.<\/p>\n
Khodijah, a mother of five, said she used to pay Rp 500 (9 US
\ncents) for 20 liters of clean water every day, but after the
\nconstruction of the tanks, she only paid Rp 100 for the same
\namount of water.<\/p>\n
Another resident, Tinah, told The Jakarta Post that before the
\ngovernment constructed the tanks, she had to buy clean water for
\ndrinking and cooking from vendors since the groundwater in the
\narea was too salty.<\/p>\n
Tinah said her family of four needed about three cans of clean
\nwater (about 60 liters) per day.<\/p>\n
\"I can save money now because the water provided by the
\ngovernment is much cheaper,\" Tinah told the Post.<\/p>\n
She hoped this was a long-term program.<\/p>\n
The tank construction in Jurumudi Baru subdistrict is part of
\nthe first phase of a Rp 174 billion project to supply clean water
\nto 150 drought-prone areas in the country by the government. The
\nfunds are part of the government's savings from the reduction of
\nfuel subsidies.<\/p>\n
Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna
\nWitoelar launched the program earlier this month to help people
\nliving in draught-prone areas. She visited the village on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The first phase of the program, covering 266 subdistricts
\nacross the country, costs Rp 50 billion.<\/p>\n
According to the program head, Rachmad Karmadi, each of the
\nfour tanks in Jurumudi Baru subdistrict is equipped with two
\nsmall carts and 20 cans.<\/p>\n
The cost of a tank ranges from Rp 6 million to Rp 9.5
\nmillion,\" he said after accompanying the minister during the
\nvisit.<\/p>\n
The residents have to pay as much as Rp 100 for 20 liters of
\nclean water of which Rp 20 goes to the local government-owned
\nwater utility agency.<\/p>\n
A resident group called Community Self-Reliance Group (KSM),
\nis responsible for the management and operation of the tanks.<\/p>\n
Rachmad said supervisors from non-governmental organizations
\nhad been assigned to help the group manage the tanks.<\/p>\n
Endi, one of the supervisors, said the villagers will hold
\nmonthly meetings with local officials to discuss the problems in
\nmanaging the tanks. (04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/water-program-helpful-to-villagers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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