PAM Jaya Chief Baffled by Government Buildings Using Groundwater for Cost Efficiency

JAKARTA — The Chief Executive of PT PAM Jaya, Arief Nasrudin, has criticised the continuing use of groundwater by office buildings on the grounds of cost efficiency.

Excessive groundwater extraction can accelerate land subsidence in Jakarta. Arief expressed concern that one government office even suggested using groundwater to save costs compared to using PAM Jaya’s piped water service.

“I find it rather disheartening that a government office — I don’t need to mention which government it is, not the Jakarta Provincial Government — can tweet about wanting to be efficient by not using PAM but using groundwater instead,” said Arief during a media discussion at Jakarta City Hall’s Press Room on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Additionally, continuous groundwater exploitation can cause serious environmental damage, including accelerating land subsidence in several Jakarta areas.

“They forget how much electricity the pump costs,” Arief added.

Arief explained that land subsidence has already begun occurring in several areas, particularly in Jakarta’s coastal regions. For this reason, PAM Jaya is promoting the expansion of groundwater-free zone policies, especially in areas already served by piped water networks.

He stressed that tall buildings and offices that already receive water supply from PAM Jaya should no longer use groundwater.

“Once piped water service is available, it is better not to use groundwater anymore,” said Arief.

“I am currently appealing, but hopefully it can be strengthened by the provincial government and perhaps through the legislature,” said Arief.

Currently, PAM Jaya’s piped water service coverage in Jakarta is reported to have reached approximately 80 per cent and continues to expand so that more people can access clean water from the piped network.