Jakarta Provincial Government Reveals Why Water Mist Has Not Been Fully Effective in Reducing Air Pollution

The Jakarta Environment Agency (DLH) within the Jakarta Provincial government said the use of water mist to curb air pollution in the capital has not been operating at full capacity. One of the obstacles is that there is no regulatory framework specifically governing the operational aspects and technical standards of the device.

Erni Pelita Fitratunnisa, Head of the Pollution Control and Environmental Damage Division at DLH DKI Jakarta, said water mist was widely installed in 2023 when Jakarta’s air quality deteriorated.

‘At that time the policy was to install water mist. If I’m not mistaken, around 100 buildings had been installed. But why has it not run at full capacity? Because there are no regulations that set out technical standards,’ Erni said during a casual discussion on air pollution in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).

According to Erni, regulations are needed to govern various aspects, from spray duration, to building height, to operating hours to effectively reduce PM2.5 concentrations.

‘For example, how many hours should it operate to be effective? Is it 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon? And for buildings of how many storeys? This needs to be regulated so that it is uniform and measurable,’ she noted.

Water mist works by spraying fine droplets of water into the air to help bind pollutant particles such as PM2.5 so they fall to the surface. However, without a standard, its effectiveness cannot be comprehensively evaluated.

The DLH has one mobile water mist unit that is deployed when air quality deteriorates. The device was used in the Sudirman-Thamrin area and in South Jakarta mid-last year.

‘Even though buildings already have the devices, the DLH remains on standby with the mobile water mist. If it is needed, we will operate it,’ she explained.

As the dry season approaches, expected to begin in May, the DLH will re-evaluate the readiness of water mist, including ensuring that devices installed in tall buildings remain functional.

Erni emphasized that controlling air pollution cannot rely on a single instrument. In addition to water mist, measures such as vehicle emissions controls, a ban on waste burning, and industrial oversight remain priorities.

‘Water mist is one of the efforts. But regulatory support and integrated complementary measures are still required for meaningful results,’ she concluded.