'I'm unhappy about water company's poor service'

'I'm unhappy about water company's poor service'

This year, the prolonged dry season across Java, including
Jakarta, has caused a water shortage. The government has warned
the public that it may get worse still. It has been reported that
water levels at Jatiluhur reservoir, Purwakarta, West Java, are
dropping by 20 centimeters per day. If this continues, it will
inevitably affect the water supply to city-owned tap water
company PDAM in Jakarta. Some city residents shared their views
on the water situation with The Jakarta Post.

Amin, 37, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Palmerah,
Central Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Gelora, Central Jakarta, with
his wife and two children:

The tap water supply to my house has been severely disrupted.
It's been like that for more than a week now.

The supply is intermittent. I have to stay awake to collect
tap water, even until late at night, although the flow isn't that
great.

I've not experienced anything like this before. I heard
recently that it was caused by a water shortage during the
prolonged dry season this year.

Unfortunately, I didn't receive any prior notification from
PDAM regarding possible water disruption.

However, I'm still grateful that I can collect water in my
tanks. It's enough to cover my family's daily needs.

I'm luckier than my neighbors. Some of them don't have water
tanks and have to go to a public facility for bathing and
washing.

I can't really complain about a situation that's been caused
by the weather. But as a customer, I'm not happy with PDAM's poor
service in the area. I rely on tap water and always meet my
obligation to pay the monthly water bill of around Rp 60,000
(US$7).

Windarti, 37, is a midwife who runs a maternity clinic at her
house in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. She lives with her husband
and son:

I have no problem with water supply here. I rely on tap water
to cover my family's daily needs.

The water quality is good, although the pressure is very low.
However, I've begun to get used to it: I guess I've no choice.

The only way to get by is to collect as much water as possible
every night when it flows quite well.

If I had a complaint, it would be about the low water
pressure. However, it's been like that for a long time.

Of course, as a customer I'd prefer a decent service, as my
monthly bill is Rp 100,000.

However, my neighbors don't seem to be complaining. I needn't
worry too much about a possible water crisis as I can still buy
water from vendors relatively cheaply.

Yanti, 30, is a housewife who lives on Jl. Daan Mogot, West
Jakarta, with her husband and two children:

Many of my neighbors rely on PDAM tap water for their daily
needs because most of the artesian wells here have dried up. Some
of them had complained about it.

Tap water only flows at night, and sometimes very slowly, too.
But at least they can still collect water.

Fortunately, I've had no problem so far with water supply
because my artesian well has run quite well. It supplies enough
water to cover my family's needs.

I don't want to install PDAM tap water because I know I'll
only be disappointed with it. I just hope that my artesian well
can continue to supply my family's needs.

If the supply from the well isn't enough, I can always buy
some from vendors.

-- Leo Wahyudi S