Lenteng Agung residents stung by water crisis

JAKARTA (JP): For the first time ever, Lenteng Agung -- which is considered one of Jakarta's water catchment areas -- is experiencing a water shortage, an official said yesterday.

Amrul Sandjaya, the head of Lenteng Agung subdistrict, said the shortage was forcing some residents to use dirty water from the nearby Ciliwung River.

About 300 families living in three neighborhoods have to buy clean water from neighbors or water vendors.

To locate water, people have to dig about 25 meters into the ground, far deeper than the usual six meters to 12 meters of previous years.

"Low-income people certainly cannot afford to build artesian wells or buy sophisticated electric water pumps. They can only afford to use traditional water pumps.

"Because many poor people are living on higher ground, it's hard to pump the water up especially in the dry season," Amrul said.

Some 43,185 residents live in Lenteng Agung -- which was converted into a residential area 20 years ago -- and most rely heavily on ground water because the city's water pipeline network has not reached their area.

The head of the city-owned drinking water company PDAM Jaya's technical division, Godman Ambarita, said that the company will build a water reservoir next year to help prevent shortages in the future.

"The water reservoir is badly needed. I hope PDAM can complete the facility's construction as soon as possible," Amrul said.

A similar water reservoir was built by PDAM Jaya early this year in Roroton subdistrict, North Jakarta.

"It will cost some Rp 15 million (US$4,545) to built a water reservoir. I hope we can build similar reservoirs not only in Lenteng Agung but also in other areas throughout the city which are prone to water shortages during the dry season," Godman said.

Maman, a Lenteng Agung residents, said some neighbors do not want to supply water free of charge to their neighbors.

"They charge us between Rp 4,000 and Rp 5,000 per six jerry cans. One jerry can contains two liters of water, and every two days I have to buy some 120 liters of water just for drinking and cooking," he said.

The nine members of Maman's family were eventually forced to use dirty water from Ciliwung River to wash their clothes and take a bath.

"What else can we do about it? I certainly do not have enough money to pay for the water," Maman said.

Jauhari, the neighborhood chief, said that Lenteng Agung had never been hit by a water crisis before.

"I think, because of the prolonged dry season, this crisis is happening here. I hope the rain will come soon."

He admitted that many green areas in Lenteng Agung had been converted into buildings.

"Lenteng Agung is developing fast these days. It is a border area between Jakarta and Depok. I think people want to live in this area because it is considered a strategic location," he said.

Since Nov. 5, PDAM Jaya has been supplying Lenteng Agung subdistrict with some 4,000 liters of clean water every day. (07)