East Jakarta maximises water capacity through sludge removal in Phb channels

The East Jakarta City Government is maximising water storage capacity ahead of the rainy season through a ‘sludge raid’ in the Cacing connecting channel (Phb) on Jalan Cacing, West Cakung.

“The sludge raid activity is part of the East Jakarta City Government’s effort to utilise the dry season to dredge sedimentation in both Phb channels and rivers,” said the Mayor of East Jakarta, Munjirin, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that during the dry season, as water levels recede, the condition of sedimentation within the channels becomes more visible, making dredging and cleaning easier.

“We must make good use of this dry season for both Phb channels and large rivers. Once the water recedes, it is very apparent that the sedimentation is quite thick and what lies within the channels,” Munjirin stated.

The sludge dredging aims to increase the water storage capacity of the channels to reduce the potential for flooding when the rainy season arrives.

“If all the sludge can be transported away, the channel capacity will increase. For example, this channel is reported to have a depth of about six metres, whereas what is visible currently is only about 1.2 metres. This means the remainder is sludge,” Munjirin explained.

He requested that sub-district and village officials inventory companies located around the Cacing Phb, particularly those suspected of discharging waste directly into the channels.

“We urge them to have proper Wastewater Treatment Plants (IPAL) and good waste processing; do not just dump it into the channels,” Munjirin said.

Previously, cleaning and dredging activities had also been carried out in several channels and rivers, including in the Ciracas and Jatinegara districts.

“We are all moving. This is a routine programme implemented every Tuesday and Friday, supplemented by community cleaning activities on Sundays,” he added.

By increasing storage capacity, he added, more rainwater can be contained within the channels, preventing overflows that flood roads and surrounding environments.

The activity, which began with a cleanliness assembly, involved approximately 150 joint officers, consisting of task forces from the Sub-department of Water Resources, Public Works, Parks and Urban Forestry, the Sub-department of Environment, East Jakarta City Fire and Rescue (Gulkarmat), and Public Infrastructure and Facilities Handling (PPSU) officers from the Cakung district.