Modern sewage systems sought

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Environment Management Agency said on Tuesday it was preparing a regulation to require commercial and residential buildings to install modern sewage systems to treat all types of liquid waste.

"We will make sewage systems a public campaign this year. Hopefully, we will be able to implement the regulation next year," agency head Kosasih Wirahadikusumah said at City Hall.

Kosasih said most commercial and residential buildings currently employed outdated sewage systems, in which liquid waste from washing and bathing ran directly into rivers.

With more modern sewage systems, Kosasih said, all liquid waste is treated so it is less hazardous to the environment.

"We will require developers to install sewage systems in the buildings they construct. This rule will be one of the requirements to obtain a building permit for the construction of residential buildings, or to obtain an operation permit for commercial buildings," he said. --JP