150 Families in Karangasem Face Water Crisis as PDAM Supply Stops for Three Days

Hundreds of residents in Banjar Dinas Kaler, Seraya Village, Karangasem, Bali, have complained about the clean water service from the regional water utility Perumda Tirta Tohlangkir (PDAM), which has not been flowing for the past three days. The situation has left residents struggling to meet their daily needs, from cooking and bathing to washing. “The water has been off for three days, the water in our storage tanks is also empty, now it’s difficult to even get water for washing dishes,” said a resident of Banjar Dinas Kaler who declined to be named on Saturday. Meanwhile, the head of Banjar Dinas Kaler, I Made Budi, confirmed that some of his residents have been without clean water from the PDAM for three days. Out of 300 families, around 150 are currently experiencing clean water difficulties. “We have reported this condition to the PDAM, but until now the water has not yet flowed. So the community is starting to complain, considering water is a primary need for the people,” Budi said. According to him, the neighbourhood has not yet received an explanation regarding the cause of the water distribution disruption. He noted that similar disruptions do occur frequently, but usually only last for a day before returning to normal. As a result of the condition, some residents have been forced to seek water from relatives’ homes or springs outside the area for cooking and washing needs. Meanwhile, others have chosen to bathe in the river or at the beach. “We hope the PDAM will quickly respond to our complaints and the water will flow normally again as usual,” Budi said. Separately, the Public Relations officer for Perumda Tirta Tohlangkir Karangasem, I Ketut Mudita, explained that the disruption occurred because the water flow from the source to the reservoir is not normal. As a result, water distribution to a number of customers has been disrupted. “Our officers are still investigating what is causing the low flow from the source to the reservoir. We will make every effort to restore the water supply to normal as soon as possible,” Mudita said.