Pramono Assures Groundwater Use Not Banned in Areas Not Yet Covered by PAM Jaya
JAKARTA — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has assured that the policy on restricting groundwater use in Jakarta will be implemented in phases.
The statement was delivered during a plenary session discussing the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on the Organisation of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM).
Pramono emphasised that residents in areas not yet covered by the piped water network will not be prohibited from using groundwater.
He explained that the obligation to switch to piped water only applies to buildings already located in the active service zone of PAM Jaya’s piped water.
“This Raperda will regulate the obligations for owners of houses or buildings in areas already served by the SPAM provider. This policy is part of efforts to curb groundwater exploitation, control land subsidence, and maintain environmental sustainability,” said Pramono.
He acknowledged that clean water pipelining services have not yet reached all areas of Jakarta.
“The direction of this Raperda policy is to gradually reduce dependence on groundwater and encourage the transition to piped water services,” he stated.
“For low-income communities, the executive commits to prioritising drinking water services for the public,” he added.
He further noted that the SPAM Raperda will serve as the legal foundation to ensure drinking water services are managed fairly, transparently, and accountably under the control of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Previously, several DPRD DKI Jakarta factions, namely Golkar, PKB, Gerindra, and Demokrat-Perindo, rejected the ban on groundwater use if replacement infrastructure is not yet ready.
“Strictly enforce against every building violating the Groundwater-Free Zone without exception or negotiation, including government-owned buildings. Accelerate pipelining in areas that are pockets of groundwater users. Do not prohibit residents from using groundwater if the alternative is not yet available,” said Andri.
Similar criticism was voiced by PKB Faction member Heri Kustanto, who highlighted that Jakarta’s land subsidence is more caused by groundwater use for commercial purposes rather than household needs.