Gili Meno Water Crisis Management Remains Stalled

A prolonged freshwater crisis in Gili Meno, Gili Indah Village, Pemenang District, North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has yet to find a concrete solution over the past three years. Efforts to address the issue remain stalled.

NTB Tourism and Creative Economy Department Head Ahmad Nur Aulia said the freshwater crisis in Gili Meno not only affects residents but is also starting to disrupt tourism in the Three Gili area.

“The hope is that with adequate water supply, tourism there can be sustainable. However, there are technical aspects to address as jurisdiction lies with the regency government,” Aulia said on Thursday (26 May 2026).

Aulia confirmed that the three-year freshwater crisis has impacted around 267 households or nearly 1,000 people. The crisis is also beginning to disrupt tourism in the Three Gili prime destination area.

So far, Aulia explained, resolving the water crisis in Meno is hindered by jurisdictional divisions with the North Lombok Regency Government and the need for substantial funding. The NTB government had previously pushed for seawater management using third-party Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology.

However, the plan faced opposition from residents and environmental groups due to concerns it could damage marine ecosystems and coral reefs around Gili Meno.

“The issue continues to be discussed with the government-formed Three Gili area task force involving multiple stakeholders,” he said.

The government-established task force has mapped the issues in Gili Meno, but follow-up actions require budgetary support and technical decisions from the North Lombok government,” he added.

“It’s not that there are no results; mapping has been done. But to proceed, funding and other support are needed,” he said.

Aulia said the need for freshwater in Gili Meno is becoming more urgent as tourist numbers rise ahead of the holiday season. If this continues, he warned, it could affect tourist numbers.

“The hope is for an underwater pipeline to ensure a constant water supply, allowing tourism services to be sustainable and continuous,” he added.

Aulia urged the government to quickly find a concrete solution, with a middle ground agreed upon by the NTB provincial government, North Lombok Regency Government, and Gili Meno residents.

“This is not a shortage of water. Currently, they rely on water transported from the mainland. A permanent solution is needed,” Aulia concluded.

Previously, Gili Meno residents displayed protest banners at sea, complaining of a three-year freshwater crisis.

“For three years, our community’s once-thriving economy has weakened due to this freshwater crisis,” said Gili Meno Hamlet Head Masrun on Thursday (21 May 2026).

“Residents must buy refilled water at Rp 15,000 per gallon for drinking and cooking, adding to their economic burden,” Masrun said.

“Besides buying freshwater, we also rely on rainwater,” Masrun added.

“Gili Meno contributes the largest share of regional revenue for North Lombok. He urged the North Lombok Regency Government to address the complaints of 267 households struggling for freshwater,” he said.

“Freshwater is a basic need. We want an underwater pipeline to access mountain-sourced water,” Masrun concluded.

Amri Nuryadin, Director of Walhi NTB, said Gili Meno residents have reported the issue to North Lombok’s Regional House of Representatives since 2023. One agreed solution is building an underwater pipeline system from Lombok Island for freshwater distribution.

“However, the North Lombok Regency Government has opted for corporate management by PT Tiara Cipta Nirwana (TCN),” Amri said.

“Amri pointed out that PT TCN’s SWRO operations have negatively impacted the coastal environment. Waste discharge has damaged coral reef ecosystems, including the blue coral tourism site that attracts visitors to Gili Meno,” Amri said.

“Local authorities are implementing policies contrary to marine ecosystem protection, threatening Gili Indah Village,” Amri said.