Clean Water System for Temporary Housing in Tapsel to be Operational Next Week
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has confirmed that the clean water system for the temporary housing (huntara) in Napa Village, Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli Regency, is targeted to be operational next week, in line with the completion of the physical construction of the housing, which has reached 87.30%.
Minister of PU Dody Hanggodo, during an inspection of the construction site on Thursday (26/2/2026), affirmed that the availability of clean water is a primary requirement before residents affected by the disaster can occupy the housing.
“We do not want residents to move in before their basic needs are met. Clean water must be sufficient. That is what we are ensuring so that when it is occupied, this housing is truly habitable and supports the daily activities of the community,” said Dody, quoted from a press release on Thursday (26/2/2026).
The clean water system in the Batang Toru temporary housing area uses shallow boreholes equipped with tanks and pumps, with an electricity supply of 900 watts per unit from PLN.
“I see that the water debit is still low, so we need to add several boreholes to ensure that it is sufficient for about 250 families,” said Dody.
The temporary housing is designed to accommodate approximately 245 families or about 1,800 people.
The construction of the temporary housing is carried out by the Ministry of PU through the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Strategic Infrastructure.
Dody said that the physical completion is targeted for Sunday or Monday next week, as requested by the local government and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). However, the exact time for the relocation of the refugees will be determined by the district government.
“God willing, the physical completion will be on Sunday or Monday next week. But we still need to coordinate with the Regent on when the refugees can move in,” he said.
In total, 252 units of temporary housing have been built, divided into 21 modular blocks.
Each block consists of 12 housing units and is equipped with communal sanitation facilities in the form of six toilet units and six shower units, each with three units for women and three units for men.
A total of 126 toilet units and 126 shower units are available, as well as a communal kitchen, laundry area, and a Wastewater Treatment Installation (IPAL) system with a capacity of 5 cubic meters.
The area is also equipped with supporting facilities such as a mosque, a multi-purpose building, a futsal field, a communal room, a children’s playground, a guard post, a green area, and a parking lot.
The determination of the residents who will occupy the housing is entirely the responsibility of the local government.
With the physical completion and the fulfillment of basic services, the Ministry of PU is targeting that the temporary housing in Batang Toru will be ready to be occupied in a decent and safe manner for the communities affected by the disaster starting next week.
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