Every House Must Have Access to Decent Drinking Water

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A house can be considered fit for habitation if it has access to drinking water that meets the required standards. Quoting from the Decent Housing Pocket Book on Saturday (09/05/2026), access to decent drinking water means the house has a safe water source for consumption or daily use without posing health risks. Indicators include households using a decent water source, the water source location being inside or near the house with a maximum travel time of 30 minutes, and water availability of at least 12 hours per day. Decent water sources include piped networks, protected bore wells, hygienically treated rainwater, and tested refillable drinking water depots. A decent home also requires access to proper sanitation. Proper sanitation encompasses the availability of safe, hygienic waste disposal facilities that do not pollute the environment. Additionally, household waste such as used bath and washing water must be channelled through systems that do not contaminate soil or water sources and do not cause odours or diseases. Besides access to drinking water and sanitation, a house can be considered fit for habitation if it meets the minimum living space requirements for its occupants. Adequate building space aims to ensure freedom of movement, air circulation, and basic functions for occupant activities such as sleeping, eating, and daily routines. This calculation also considers an average ceiling height of around 2.8 metres to support occupant comfort and health.