Drought Begins to Hit Majalengka, Pilangsari Residents Forced to Hunt for Clean Water

As the dry season sets in, a clean water crisis is beginning to threaten residents of Pilangsari Village, Jatitujuh District, Majalengka Regency, West Java. Following the drying up of residents’ wells, they are now forced to travel up to one kilometre to obtain clean water for their daily needs. One Pilangsari Village resident, Warkiah, explained that the water in her well has been insufficient for several days. “The well water has been dry for a few days now. It can no longer be used to meet the household’s water needs,” Warkiah said on Tuesday. To meet her daily requirements, Warkiah has to visit a pump well source located not far from the village gate. The considerable distance from her home means she often makes the trip by motorcycle. “Almost every dry season we have to transport water from this pump well,” Warkiah stated. She added that the water from the pump well is still clear, clean, and suitable for consumption. She routinely transports water twice a day, in the morning and evening. Long queues at the pump well are a common sight, as the majority of the local population is experiencing similar conditions. As a result, the pump well has become the main lifeline for villagers, triggering long queues, especially in the late afternoon. Another resident, Wawan, revealed that although the area is technically served by the local water utility PDAM Majalengka, the network coverage is not evenly distributed to all settlements. “The queues are long, especially in the afternoon,” Wawan said. He explained that besides not reaching all houses, the PDAM water supply often experiences disruptions during the dry season. “The PDAM water sometimes stops flowing or the pressure is very low during the dry season,” Wawan clarified. According to Wawan, amidst the current drought conditions, residents of Pilangsari Village rely on two reserve wells whose water remains abundant and clear, located at the western and eastern ends of the village. “The water never recedes and it is clear. We depend on these two wells every dry season,” Wawan said.