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)