PAM JAYA's Efforts Towards Equitable Access to Clean Water

PAM JAYA is accelerating efforts to achieve 100% piped water coverage in Jakarta. The utility has already reached 82.6% coverage, driven by a significant increase in customers. This achievement serves as a crucial foundation for connecting residents who have not yet been served. The network expansion strategy is comprehensive, ranging from the construction of main pipes to direct house connections. “From 900,000 customers, now 1.2 million are enjoying clean water from PAM,” said PAM JAYA President Director Arief Nasrudin during a discussion at the PAM JAYA office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. The most aggressive expansion is currently taking place in East Jakarta and North Jakarta. Several areas previously without service, such as Marunda, Cilincing, Kebon Kosong, and the Marunda flats, are now being connected to the piped clean water network. To strengthen supply, PAM JAYA relies on raw water from the Jatiluhur Reservoir in West Java and the Buaran 3 Water Treatment Plant. This step is focused on reinforcing supply reliability, particularly in the eastern and northern parts of Jakarta. Communal reservoirs are also planned to increase clean water coverage. Conversely, West Jakarta still faces challenges. The incomplete construction of supporting infrastructure from the Karian Dam in Banten to Jakarta means the pace of service acceleration in this area is not as fast as in the east and north. Arief emphasised that achieving the 100% service target is not just about adding new connections. PAM JAYA must also ensure equal water pressure so that all customers receive optimal service. PAM JAYA also faces the challenge of repairing ageing pipe networks. Of the total approximately 13,000 kilometres of existing pipelines, some segments are up to 104 years old. A network rehabilitation programme has been prepared. However, PAM JAYA is prioritising the expansion of new connections to avoid overlapping projects between new network construction and old pipe replacement. Given the scale of the work, PAM JAYA is seeking to implement advanced technology to ensure construction and rehabilitation proceed with minimal disruption to residents, as the pipelines run beneath vital roads and densely populated settlements. This initiative also aims to reduce public dependence on groundwater. Expanding the piped network is considered crucial for curbing groundwater exploitation, which is a primary cause of land subsidence in Jakarta. To bridge the remaining 17.4% gap to achieve full coverage, Arief acknowledged the need for massive infrastructure development, close coordination among utilities, and public patience. “Indeed, the challenge of completing 100% service is not easy. But when we finish, everyone will be happy, because water is a basic need that cannot be substituted,” Arief asserted. Meanwhile, PAM JAYA is preparing for the threat of reduced raw water availability due to fluctuating water levels in the Jatiluhur Reservoir. Arief noted that the reservoir’s water level is currently at 99 metres above sea level, down from the normal average of 110 metres. “Although this is still within the safe line. The alert level is at 85 metres,” he explained. As an emergency measure if the main raw water supply is stressed, PAM JAYA has readied mobile water treatment plant technology. This technology facilitates the extraction of water from available alternative sources and processes it instantly into potable water. The treatment process using the mobile WTP is relatively short, ranging from 30 minutes to a maximum of two hours. The unit has previously proven effective in addressing clean water crises during disaster relief outside the region. Arief confirmed that clean water distribution for Jakarta residents is currently running normally, with no drought conditions requiring the routine deployment of water tanker trucks. Separately, Jakarta Public Service researcher Rahmat Hidayat assessed that PAM JAYA’s transformation is a solid foundation for delivering modern, professional, and public-oriented piped water access. “Fulfilling clean water services is a basic need, so it must be supported by all,” he said. He noted that comprehensive improvements, from accelerating leak repairs and digitising services to building new infrastructure and strengthening good corporate governance, are key assets for achieving equitable service. In addition to targeting 100% service by 2029, PAM JAYA is also preparing strategic steps towards an initial public offering in 2027 to strengthen its expansion funding structure. “We see how the company is not only focused on expanding the pipe network but also seriously addressing fundamental issues like network leaks, which have been a major challenge for years,” Hidayat concluded.