Government targets 24 million clean water pipeline connections by 2029

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is aiming to build 24 million clean water pipelines to homes by 2029, which is equivalent to 40 per cent urban coverage. This target is estimated to reach approximately 93 million people. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), acknowledged that this target is not an easy task and requires inter-sectoral collaboration. “That means up to 93 million people. This is a very challenging task. It is now 2026, can we achieve this in the next three years?” said AHY at the Water Townhall Meeting in Jakarta, Tuesday. He explained that currently, the number of clean water pipelines installed has only reached 14 million households. This figure serves approximately 56 million people, or about 20 per cent of Indonesia’s total population. Meanwhile, in the long term, the government has set a more ambitious target through the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045. By 2045, the target is to have 56 million household connections, or 100 per cent coverage, which is projected to serve 211 million people. “This is a heavy task and we must do it seriously because once again, we must ensure that every citizen has access to clean water,” he said. AHY explained that to achieve this target, several strategic steps need to be strengthened. First, water conservation to ensure that water availability can accommodate current and future needs. Second, effective and efficient water management and utilisation to prevent waste. Third, disaster mitigation, including the risk of floods and other hydrometeorological disasters. “We must manage and develop, using this (water) in the best possible way, effectively and efficiently. We must not use it without a clear purpose,” added AHY. He also presented a map of national water needs, which shows competition between sectors. Currently, about 74 per cent of water resources are used for irrigation to support food self-sufficiency. This need is not only concentrated in Java and Sumatra, but is also being expanded to Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua and other regions of eastern Indonesia. Meanwhile, water use for household needs reaches about 9 per cent, industry 6 per cent, commercial needs 3 per cent and other sectors 8 per cent. Therefore, the government believes that integrated management is the key to ensuring that the largest needs in the agricultural sector can continue without sacrificing access to clean water for the community. Copyright © ANTARA 2026 It is strictly prohibited to take content, crawl or automatically index for AI on this website without written permission from the ANTARA News Agency.