Most Surabaya firms have no IPAL

The Environmental Law Working Committee (KKHL) has recorded that at least 1,505 of 1,600 companies in Surabaya do not possess liquid waste processing installations (IPALs).

"Based on field observations, many companies still dump their waste directly into rivers in Surabaya. The strange thing is that they were not even reprimanded by the government," KKHL secretary Suparto Wijoyo said on Thursday in Surabaya, East Java.

"This proves that the government is not concerned about the environment," added the environmental law activist.

He said the move had further polluted rivers in Surabaya, although 98 percent of river water is used for people's daily needs.

"Ironically, the polluted river water is used as a source of drinking water," Suparto said.

He criticized the government for not taking measures against companies that did not have an IPAL as required by Bylaw No. 82/2001 on water quality management and water pollution control.

Similarly, East Java Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) branch executive director Sardiyoko said his organization's survey showed that of 52 companies that threw their waste into rivers in Surabaya", 26 had no IPAL.

"Even when they possess an IPAL, they still dump their waste into rivers," he said.

An employee of a factory producing flavor enhancer in Mojokerto regency, East Java, said his firm and others dumped their waste into rivers because of the cost of waste processing equipment.

The situation was aggravated by poor law enforcement against violators, he added. --JP