Public Works Ministry Distributes Clean Water to Drought-Hit Cimahi
The Ministry of Public Works, through the West Java Building, Infrastructure and Regional Planning Centre (BPBPK) of the Directorate General of Human Settlements, is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the emergency drought response in Cimahi City, West Java. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo stated that water is the primary foundation for sustainable development. He noted that water plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector, energy, climate action, and poverty alleviation. “Quality water services are the backbone of economic, social and environmental development, especially for regions facing limited water resources and the impacts of climate change,” Dody said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Head of the West Java BPBPK M Reva Sastrodiningrat explained that clean water distribution is carried out twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, reaching six service points across four community units (RW). “Five water tanker trucks, each with a capacity of 4,000 litres, are deployed for each distribution. Thus, the total clean water distributed reaches 20,000 litres per delivery, or around 40,000 litres per week,” Reva stated. The drought conditions in the area have been triggered by a prolonged dry season, which has caused a decline in the availability of shallow groundwater that residents primarily rely on. Previously, residents depended solely on wells, as the piped water network (PDAM) has not yet reached the affected area, leading to a high dependency on groundwater.
Aid distribution is carried out through three main points serving four community units in Leuwigajah Urban Village, which has been prioritised as the area with the highest level of drought severity. The Ministry of Public Works emphasised that the provision of clean water is a basic service that must remain guaranteed, especially during emergency conditions. Therefore, synergy with the Cimahi City Government and relevant stakeholders will continue to be strengthened to ensure that aid distribution is effective, well-targeted, and sustainable.