Clean Water Remains Top Development Priority in Seribu Islands
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Regent of Thousand Islands, Muhammad Fadjar Churniawan, stated that the need for clean water remains a top priority in the Thousand Islands, prompting him to encourage the utilisation of Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology and strengthen collaboration with various parties to ensure a steady supply for residents.
“The need for clean water remains a major challenge in the Thousand Islands,” said Muhammad Fadjar Churniawan during the 2026 Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorwil) in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“So far, we have relied on the support of the Water Resources Agency (Sudin SDA) and PAM Jaya. However, their capacity is certainly limited,” he added.
To ensure the availability of clean water, PAM Jaya, in conjunction with the Thousand Islands Regency Government, utilises SWRO facilities, which employ desalination technology to convert seawater into fresh water using high-pressure membranes.
As clean water is a fundamental necessity for the community, the government must ensure its availability.
His office continues to push for various solutions through collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including PAM Jaya and the private sector, to ensure that water services for residents remain maintained.
The SWRO technology, capable of purifying seawater, can produce 1,86 entally 67 litres per day, with a clean water allocation of 64 litres per day for each resident.
Meanwhile, Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) technology is used to purify brackish water into drinking water.
These facilities are located across seven inhabited islands, namely Harapan Island, Kelapa Island, Karya Island, Panggang Island, Tidung Island, Lancang Island, and Untung Jawa Island.
Each island has varying capacities according to the needs of the local community.
Furthermore, the use of groundwater is subject to various restrictions, necessitating sustainable solutions.
He emphasised that oversight is a vital component in achieving good governance.