Batam running short of water

Batam running short of water

BATAM, Riau Islands: A local water company warned that drought
might hit the industrial island of Batam, as water catchment
areas were shrinking, giving way to business complexes.

Director of water company PT Adhya Tirta Batam Piter Robin
said on Monday that the water level in several reservoirs had
dropped despite continued rainfall.

"The rain water does not flow into the reservoirs because
forests have been felled to give way for business complexes," he
said.

Consequently, Adhya Tirta was unable to increase its supply to
meet the rising demand for water, Piter explained.

Batam's population is growing fast, as migrants flock to the
industrial island, lured by its fast-expanding economy.

For the past few days, however, Adhya Tirta has been unable to
meet the water demand in several areas on the island. As a
result, its customers had to purchase bottled water or rely on
their own water tanks to meet their needs. -- Antara