PAM Jaya deploys gel technology to seal leaking pipes without excavation

Jakarta — PT PAM Jaya (Perseroda) has begun deploying specialised gel technology as a solution to seal leaks in water pipelines, eliminating the need to excavate existing pipes.

PAM Jaya Chief Executive Officer Arief Nasrudin explained that the technology works by injecting gel into leaking pipeline networks, which then seals gaps or holes in the pipes.

“We now have gel technology, so pipes of certain sizes do not need to be excavated to be repaired. The gel operates like run-flat tyre technology. When there is a hole, it immediately closes it,” Arief stated at Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday.

The technology has been tested on pipeline networks in the Sisingamangaraja Street area, South Jakarta. Results showed that pipe leaks were sealed quickly without requiring excavation.

“When we tested it around 2am, the holes immediately sealed and the repair can last for eight years. We already have this technology in place,” Arief said.

The adoption of this technology is also expected to help reduce water loss rates or Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—water already produced but not recorded as customer consumption.

According to Arief, one major cause of NRW is leakage in pipeline networks, some of which are quite old. “Our pipes vary in age. Some are over 30 years old and account for approximately 70 per cent of our existing network,” he noted.

Beyond this innovation, the utility is also developing several other initiatives, including service system digitalisation, deployment of smart water meters, and development of a customer service application enabling residents to report water disruptions via mobile phones.

PAM Jaya is also preparing new technology capable of producing drinking water by capturing water vapour from the air, with plans to install it in the Sudirman-Thamrin area.

Additionally, the company plans to produce environmentally friendly bottled drinking water made from paper-based materials to reduce plastic bottle consumption.

These innovations are being undertaken by the Jakarta Provincial Government-owned enterprise to expand piped water service coverage. Currently, piped water service coverage in Jakarta is reported to have reached approximately 80 per cent, with targets to increase further over the coming years.