Water scarcity affects many areas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Across the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and
\nJava, many have begun to feel the pinch of this year's prolonged
\ndrought as clean water becomes scarce and expensive.<\/p>\n
As reported by Antara over the last three days, local
\nauthorities in the towns of Jambi, Padang, Samarinda and several
\nareas in Central Java have complained about the decreasing water
\nsupply.<\/p>\n
Though claiming to have everything under control so far, they
\nexpressed concern about the devastating effect of the drought if
\nit continued.<\/p>\n
Spokesman of Padang city administration in West Sumatra,
\nEdwar, said over the weekend that despite the decrease in the
\nvolume of the Batang Air Dingin River and the Air Gunung Pangilun
\nspring, residents still have an ample water supply from wells
\ndrilled long before the drought.<\/p>\n
\"For the moment, they serve us well. But the reserve will
\neventually run out if the drought continues,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In the northern Sumatra province of Jambi, the director of the
\nTirta Mayang water company, Surihamsyah, said the water supply in
\nthe region was affected by the decreasing volume of the
\nBatanghari River, which is the company's source of water.<\/p>\n
He promised, however, that despite the smaller supply, the
\ncompany would still meet the need for clean water in remote
\nareas. But he called on residents to economize consumption.<\/p>\n
\"We are hopeful that residents will be able to buy and use the
\ncompany's clean water supply for drinking and cooking so they can
\nprevent diarrhea,\" Surihamsyah said.<\/p>\n
The water company distributes a daily water supply to remote
\nwater-scarce areas in 20 tanker trucks with a capacity of 4,000
\nliters each. Each gallon of water is sold for Rp 100 (US$.036).<\/p>\n
In Samarinda, East Kalimantan, the local state-run water
\ncompany stopped its water supply to customers last Thursday. The
\nMahakam River, which is the company's source of water, became too
\nsalty due to sea water intrusion.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that locals spend around Rp 3,000 for a bottle
\nof drinking water. They buy water from roaming water vendors.<\/p>\n
Every day since Thursday, from 4:30 a.m. until 6:30 a.m. and
\nfrom 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., hundreds of residents in the
\nSamarinda districts of Teluk Lerong Ulu, Teluk Lerong Ilir and
\nKarang Asam bathe and do their laundry in the salted Mahakam
\nRiver. The town has a population of around 400,000 people.<\/p>\n
Many residents have called on the water company to start
\nproduction again, but the head of the local water company,
\nDjohansyah, said it was not possible.<\/p>\n
\"We would ruin our water processor because of the high salt
\nconcentration in the river water,\" he was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
The city administration, however, has drilled 16 deep wells to
\nhelp meet the demand for fresh water.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Central Java, drought has also hit the regencies
\nof Grobogan, Kendal, Blora, Rembang, Cilacap, Karanganyar,
\nSukoharjo, Wonogiri, Cilacap, Pati, Sragen, Banjarnegara, Kebumen
\nand Klaten. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/water-scarcity-affects-many-areas-1447893297",
"image": ""
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