Groundwater Restrictions Urgently Needed for Jakarta's Future

Wed, 25 Feb 2026, 21:14 WIB | By Akmal Fauzi | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Environment

Headline

All proceeds from crimes that harm the state must be confiscated.

The Presidium of the Coalition to Protect Jakarta’s Groundwater (JATA) held a declaration of support for the implementation of Governor’s Regulation No. 5 of 2026 concerning Energy and Water Efficiency in Buildings.

The JATA Presidium consists of Pemuda Cinta Tanah Air (PITA), Santri Bakti Nusantara, Jaringan Pemuda Penggerak (JAMPER), Komunitas Penggiat Lingkungan Hidup untuk Perubahan, Koalisi Warga Jakarta untuk Keadilan, BAPEGESIS, and Koalisi Jakarta Present.

The declaration carries the theme “Save Jakarta’s Groundwater, Save the Future of the City” as a form of concern for the environmental conditions of the capital.

Coordinator of the JATA Presidium, La Ode Kamaludin, said that the exploitation of groundwater in Jakarta for years has caused various serious impacts. According to him, the use of groundwater by large-scale buildings such as apartments, hotels, shophouses, and industrial areas is one of the main causes.

“Excessive use of groundwater contributes to land subsidence which has an impact on increasing the risk of seasonal floods, tidal floods, and damage to infrastructure that harms the wider community,” said Kamal at the declaration event at the JATA Headquarters, Jalan Kampung Melayu Kecil 3, Tebet, South Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2).

Kamal emphasised that the prohibition of groundwater use in buildings and industries is an important step to create a safe and livable city. He believes that urban development should not burden environmental risks on the community, while the benefits are only enjoyed by a few.

“We fully support Governor’s Regulation No. 5 of 2026 and are ready to oversee its implementation consistently. The success of this policy is considered to depend on strong supervision and the strict application of sanctions,” he said.

He also asked the government to ensure that the transition process to the use of piped water is carried out fairly and transparently.

“Improving the quality and expanding the coverage of piped water services is a major prerequisite so that the policy of restricting groundwater can be accepted by the community without causing social resistance,” he explained.

Executive Director of Jakarta Present, Taufik Rendusara (Tope), added that as part of the JATA Coalition, his party is committed to preventing groundwater exploitation.

“The issue of water is not only related to technical aspects, but also to the sustainability of the city and intergenerational responsibility,” he said.

Through this declaration, Tope continued, the Coalition to Protect Jakarta’s Groundwater is ready to be at the forefront in monitoring and overseeing the implementation of Governor’s Regulation No. 5 of 2026.

“We will take further concrete steps so that the exploitation of groundwater can be stopped when the supply through the piped water network is sufficient,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of JAMPER, Gea Hermansyah, explained that the JATA Coalition will carry out a number of strategic steps. Among them are organising community voices into a collective force that is taken seriously, strengthening public control over water services so that it is not only driven by business logic, and building the legitimacy of water policies through active community participation.

“We will also firmly oversee the cessation of groundwater exploitation,” he said.

The Coalition of Jakarta Residents for Justice, Marlo Sitompul, also highlighted the phenomenon of land subsidence, which he said was a clear fact in Jakarta.

“If we look at the Penjaringan area, there are clearly areas where villages have become part of the sea. From year to year, land subsidence continues to occur, this must be addressed so that it does not become a danger in the future,” said Marlo.

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BRIN revealed a deep humanitarian crisis on the north coast of the island of Java due to a combination of rising sea levels.

LAND subsidence and rising sea levels are causing massive migration of fishermen from the northern coast of Java, especially in the Indramayu, Cirebon, and Tegal areas to Jakarta.

One of the main causes of tidal floods is the geological condition of the soil in the area which is still young alluvial and dominated by clay, so that the tide water is difficult to seep into the soil.

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