25 firms cited as major water pollution sources

25 firms cited as major water pollution sources

JAKARTA (JP): Major hotels and hospitals are among the 25
firms cited as the source of the bulk of the city's water
pollution, including dangerous contaminated waste, an official
has claimed.

The companies -- including four star-rated hotels, a well-
known soft drink producer and hospitals -- accounted for at least
35 percent of water pollution in the period of 1997 to 1998,
Abujoewono, secretary of the Jakarta chapter of the National
Environmental Protection Agency, told reporters on Wednesday.

He refused to give full details of the companies but said they
included five-star hotel MO, four-star hotel HA, drink producing
factory SS, hospital CM and hospital K.

"It would be unethical to reveal the names of the companies to
the press."

He said his office conducted continuous monitoring of the
companies' waste.

The official, however, praised the companies for their "very
good job" in providing the agency with complete analysis reports
concerning possible adverse effects of their waste on the
environment.

Contacted on Thursday, the public relations director of hotel
MO confirmed that members of Abujoewono's staff took regular
monthly samples of liquid waste released by the hotel.

The sales and marketing manager of Hotel HA, who also handles
public relations matters, said the "accusation" was new to her.

"Our hotel has never been accused of being an environmental
hazard ... We have always been very clean," the manager said.

No executives of the other companies could be reached for
comment.

Abujoewono added that the remaining 65 percent of the waste in
the city's waterways was contributed by residential and slum
areas. (ylt)