IWIP and WBN provide clean water access in Central Halmahera

The commencement of the clean water pipe installation work marks the starting point for improving the quality of life. Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) together with PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN) is building the Lelilef Water Treatment Plant to provide clean water access to the communities of Desa Lelilef Sawai and Desa Lelilef Waibulan, Central Halmahera, North Maluku. “The start of the clean water pipe installation work becomes the starting point for changing the quality of life,” said General Manager Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) of IWIP, Iwan Kurniawan, in his statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday. The construction of the Lelilef Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is expected to meet the community’s basic needs for clean and proper water, support daily activities, and sustainably improve quality of life. This programme also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal 6 on clean water and sanitation and goal 3 on good health and well-being. The construction of the Lelilef Water Treatment Plant (WTP) facility is marked by the start of the distribution pipe network installation on Thursday, 23 April 2026. This WTP facility is equipped with two reservoirs with a total capacity of 5,200 cubic metres per day, as well as three treatment units at each reservoir with a capacity of 210 cubic metres per unit. “Access to clean water is often considered simple, but it has a significant impact on community health, economy, and education,” said Iwan. Iwan added that the success of this programme is not only determined by infrastructure development but also by the active role of the community in maintaining and managing the Lelilef WTP. “This programme is not only owned by IWIP, WBN or the government, but belongs to the community. Therefore, it is important for all of us to maintain the built network, use water wisely, and manage its utilisation fairly at the village level,” he said. As part of the Lelilef WTP construction inauguration series, IWIP, Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), and representatives of the Sawai and Waibulan Village Governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as the basis for collaboration in the management and sustainability of the clean water installation, followed by the symbolic laying of the first pipe as a sign of the start of the clean water network work in the area, attended by IWIP Director Kevin He along with management, local government, and community representatives. Through the provision of clean water access, IWIP and WBN hope to provide benefits in various aspects of community life, from improving health, economic productivity, to environmental quality and education, and continue to deliver sustainable programmes that provide direct benefits to communities around the company’s operational areas.