Complaints about water shortage begin

Complaints about water shortage begin

JAKARTA (JP): Many residents of the capital have started
complaining of a water shortage, the city's mayors said
yesterday.

East Jakarta Mayor S. Sudarsono said that in his mayoralty
alone, eight subdistricts in Cakung and Pulogadung district are
already suffering a water shortage.

"So far, we have allocated Rp 150 million (US$57,692) from the
city's disaster-relief fund for this year's dry season to supply
water from city-owned water company PDAM Jaya," Sudarsono said at
City Hall yesterday.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said some of his residents
have also reported a shortage of water.

"The most critical areas which face water problems are mostly
located in densely populated areas, such as Galur subdistrict,"
Kahfi said.

In some areas, he said, wells have been drying up.

"People are failing to find water when they dig new wells,"
Kahfi said.

But the mayor guaranteed adequate water would be supplied
regularly to the areas by PDAM.

"I hope residents who use tap water or wells use water more
efficiently," Kahfi said.

South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said yesterday that he ordered
his officials to be ready to help residents who need water.

The head of the City's Park Agency, Syamsir Alam, pledged to
help overcome the problem.

"I have ordered my officials to prepare our tanker trucks to
help distribute water to residents," he said.

Most of the trucks can carry 5,000 liters of water and are
mainly used to water plants around the city.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja recently said people need to save
water during the current dry season, especially those from the
middle and upper-class.

Jakartans, he said, should prepare for unexpected
circumstances of this year's long, dry season.

He also urged those who washed their cars three times a day to
do it once to anticipate a limited supply of tap water.

Currently, PDAM customers represent only 40 percent of the
city's 9.8 million people. (ste)