Cileungsi pollution level on the rise

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

A study reveals that pollution on the Cileungsi River here has reached an alarming level due to industrial, mining and household activities, and a deterioration of the environment around the river basin.

Secretary of the Environment Research Center at Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), Prastowo, explained that pollution in the Cileungsi River was worse than in the Ciliwung River, which runs through Jakarta.

"Uncontrolled urban development, which neglects the importance of water reservoirs and water conservation, has resulted in the decline of both the quality and quantity of the Cileungsi River," he said.

The data, based on a study in 2002, was presented on Thursday during a workshop titled Industrial Society Awareness of Environmental Issues, attended by officials from factories that utilize Cileungsi water for their production processes.

Besides becoming the last stop for industrial and household waste, the Cileungsi River also provides raw water for the factories.

"It means, should the polluted water no longer be able to provide water for the factories, they would have to cease production," Prastowo added.

Data from the industry and trade agency reveals that 1,483 factories currently operate in Bogor, and about 300 of them take water from the Cileungsi River.

Executive from PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Alexander Frans said that his company took 132,000 cubic meters of water from the river per month, less than the 181,440 permitted by the Bogor administration.