Lenteng Agung residents stung by water crisis
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)