Public Works Minister: Lampahan Water Supply System Delivers Clean Water to Temporary Housing in Bener Meriah

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) — Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that the Lampahan Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) in Bener Meriah district, Aceh, has resumed operation following natural disaster damage and is already delivering clean water to several temporary housing settlements (Huntara) in the area.

“This SPAM system in Lampahan, Bener Meriah, has been repaired and is now functional, serving approximately 3,000 families,” said Dody Hanggodo during a visit to Bener Meriah, Aceh, on Monday.

The minister made these remarks whilst inspecting repairs to the Lampahan SPAM system, which had been damaged by flooding and landslides. The restoration work is being carried out by Waskita Karya in Bener Meriah, Aceh.

The Lampahan SPAM system has a total capacity of 30 litres per second, comprising a Water Treatment Installation (IPA) of 20 litres per second and a non-treatment system of 10 litres per second.

However, with increasing public demand for drinking water and the need to ensure quality, quantity, and affordability of services, rehabilitation of the existing system has become necessary. The planned rehabilitation involves constructing a new water treatment installation with a capacity of 20 litres per second to replace the current non-treatment system operating at 10 litres per second, as the existing system does not meet applicable technical standards and regulations for drinking water supply.

“The current capacity here is 30 litres per second. Of that, 20 litres go through water treatment and 10 litres bypass treatment. We plan to maintain this but will now treat all water. We will install an additional 20 litres per second capacity, which will also replace the 10 litres per second non-treatment system,” the minister explained.

Water from the SPAM system is not distributed directly to residential areas but first undergoes treatment to eliminate bacteria. The minister noted that the water quality is otherwise good. Although the system is now functional for 3,000 households, the Public Works Ministry continues to pursue expansion to ensure more residents benefit from clean water access.

“Our goal is that all water distributed to households undergoes treatment first. Even with an open SPAM system like this, E. coli bacteria levels are typically high. Other parameters are good,” Hanggodo concluded.