Black Sewage Water Floods Street in Kalideres Following Pipe Excavation Project

Jakarta – Black, foul-smelling sewage water has been overflowing onto portions of Jalan Satu Maret in Pegadungan, Kalideres, West Jakarta. Residents have complained about the condition, which began after a water pipe excavation project was undertaken and remains unresolved despite the physical work reportedly being completed.

During a site inspection on Monday (2 March 2026), dark sewage water was observed overflowing and covering parts of the road. The accumulation has forced motorcyclists and car drivers to slow down as they pass through.

A sign at the location reads, “Water piping service improvement work in progress,” along with PAM Jaya’s customer service number. The excavation area has been covered with soil and cement, but road barriers remain in place.

Dark sewage water continues to overflow from a concrete drainage channel adjacent to the project site, pooling onto the road surface.

Dodi, a 64-year-old parking attendant at a minimarket in the area, confirmed that sewage water accumulation began when the pipe excavation project commenced. “It’s been going on for more than two weeks, since before the fasting period. The sewage water has risen. This dark, foul-smelling water from the drain has blocked since the excavation started, it doesn’t flow properly,” Dodi said.

The black water not only damages the road surface but also produces a pungent odour that disrupts residents’ activities and nearby businesses. According to Dodi, the sewage smell even penetrates inside the minimarket where he works. “It’s not just a smell anymore. I’m here every day, so I’m constantly smelling this—it’s nauseating. Customers inside the shop suffer too. When people step in the sewage from outside, the smell follows them inside,” he explained.

Beyond affecting comfort, the pooled water on the damaged road poses a safety hazard, particularly at night when potholes become difficult to see. “People have fallen here at night. The damaged road isn’t visible, and it’s slippery too—they fall into the flooding,” Dodi said. “Motorcyclists don’t want to put their feet down because they’ll get dirty and smell.”