Balikpapan suffers water shortage

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A clean water shortage is threatening the 400,000 residents in Balikpapan, the province's largest city, due to the decreasing water level in the Manggar dam.

The water in the dam is down to 2.3 meters, which can only sustain the city for a fortnight, Antara reported.

The head of the local branch of the state-owned water supply company, Suhaidi, said yesterday the water level was usually 5.8 meters.

"We believe it will only be sufficient for 15 days. If it doesn't rain, Balikpapan will face a severe water shortage," he said.

He said the company had already reduced the outflow of water from 900 liters per second to 600 liters.

"We're all praying it will rain soon," Suhaidi said. (mds)