Most Indonesians have no access to clean water

Most Indonesians have no access to clean water

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

At least 80 percent of Indonesia's 215 million population have no
access to piped water, according to a country report prepared for
the third World Water Forum (WWF) in Kyoto, a copy of which was
obtained by The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The report also says Indonesia will propose US$321.89 million
in debt-to-nature conservation swaps for developed countries as
part of the effort to resolve the country's water problem.

"The country report reflects the gravity of our water problem,
something we have to tackle in various ways, including debt-to-
nature swaps," Director General for Water Resources Roestam
Sjarief told the Post Thursday.

An Indonesian delegation, led by Minister of Resettlement and
Regional Infrastructure Soenarno, will attend the third WWF in
Kyoto, Japan, from March 16 through March 23.

According to the report, piped water supplies reach only 51
percent of Indonesia's urban population, which accounts for 20
percent of the country's total population, and 8 percent of the
rural population.

It also says Indonesia needs investment worth Rp 5.1 trillion
(US$570 million) every year over the next 12 years in order to
provide piped water supplies to at least 40 percent of the
country's population by 2015.

The report says the government plans to seek US$120 million in
debt swaps with Canada, France and Germany to construct homes and
improve rural roads, drainage and sanitation in 17 provinces.

Some $34 million in debt swaps with Canada, Germany, France
and Spain will be sought to improve and rehabilitate rural
irrigation, it says.

"We have conducted preliminary meetings with various countries
to arrange debt swaps. So we hope we will be successful at the
WWF," Roestam said.

The report also reveals that sanitation services only reach 10
percent of the country's urban population.

The enormous problems regarding safe and clean water supplies
are accompanied by other problems such as securing water for
irrigation, and managing and controlling floods and various other
water-related disasters.

On irrigation, most of the country's 7.1 million hectares of
irrigated rice fields are still susceptible to unfavorable
weather as only 10 percent of them are served by reservoirs. At
least 35 percent of irrigated rice fields still need
rehabilitation.

"Considerable investment is still required in agriculture to
increase productivity," the report says.

On water related disasters such as floods, erosion,
sedimentation and droughts, the report says the number of
critical watersheds increased from 22 in 1984 to 59 in 1999.

Water pollution in rivers lakes and other water bodies has
reached a level that endangers human and other living creatures,
it says

At least 600 out of the 5,590 principal rivers in the country
can cause significant detrimental flood hazards and pose
continuous threats to about 1.4 million hectares of flood-prone
zones consisting of residential, industrial and agricultural
areas, as well as transportation facilities.

"To handle this flood problem, 30,000 kilometers of dikes and
their associated appurtenances, and 15,000 kilometers of river
normalization are required," the report says.

At present, the Indonesian government is only able to develop
2,600 kilometers of dikes, or 8 percent of the total required,
and carry out 1,500 kilometers of river normalization, or 10
percent of the total required, according to the report.

"With the current limited budget from the government, it is
estimated that it will take 100 years to protect all susceptible
areas," it says.

The report points out that to date the government has been
covering all costs as regards public water resources, including
irrigation, water supplies, flood control, water pollution
treatment, etc.

As the government budget is limited, many investments and
maintenance works for water resources have been postponed, it
says.

Therefore, adjustment of the prevailing laws and regulations
is required to accommodate the need for water users and
beneficiaries to play a significant role in ensuring the
sustainability of water resources' infrastructure, according to
the report.

At present, water policy reform by the government is underway
in the form of new bill on water resource that will allow a
greater role for the private sector in water resources
management.

Highlights from Indonesia's report to WWF

* About 80 percent of the population does not have access to
running water. Investments totaling Rp 5.1 trillion (US$570
million) per year are needed to supply water to 40 percent of the
population by 2015.

* Rice production is under threat due to the conversion of 15,000
to 20,000 hectares of irrigated rice fields every year for
nonagricultural use and breakdowns in irrigation systems.
Considerable investment is needed to boost rice production.

* The number of critical watersheds increased to 59 in 1999, and
the level of water pollution in rivers, lakes and other sources
of water has reached a level that is endangering the health of
humans and other species. Consistent law enforcement is needed to
correct this situation.

* Some 600 rivers out of a total of 5,590 rivers are deemed a
significant flood hazard and pose a continuous threat to 1.4
million hectares of residential, industrial and agricultural
areas. More flood control measures are necessary.

* Adjustments to laws and regulations are required to ensure the
sustainability of water resource infrastructures.

* The government is seeking $321.9 million in a debt-for-nature
swap related to water conservation with developed countries.