Sanur Beach Polluted by Wastewater, Public Works Agency Intervenes

Segara Ayu Beach in Sanur Kaja Village, Denpasar, suddenly came under scrutiny after murky water resembling waste flowed heavily into the beach area. The Denpasar Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) immediately went to the location to inspect. Not only did they inspect, but PUPR officers also deployed an excavator to dredge the sand area suspected to be the point where the water was emerging. From the excavation, pitch-black water was seen coming out accompanied by a pungent smell. Head of the Water Resources Division at Denpasar PUPR, Ketut Ngurah Artha Jaya, stated that initial findings indicate the water originated from a blocked drainage channel that overflowed into the beach area. “We saw water resembling waste coming out and it smelled a bit,” he said at the location on Monday (22/6/2026). Artha explained that PUPR is currently conducting a thorough investigation regarding the source and flow path of the water. The investigation also involves several related parties. “Preliminary results are still being checked. There is a drainage channel that discharges water all the way to the sea,” he clarified. “Meanwhile, at the end point where the water overflows, there is a lot of sand obstructing it and causing the water to stagnate,” he continued. The Bali Province Environmental Laboratory UPTD team also went directly to the location to take water samples for further testing. From an initial check using a WalkLab device, the water’s acidity level (pH) was found to be 6.29, which is said to be close to the characteristics of wastewater. “This is still being checked, the definitive results will have to wait another five days,” said Ngurah Artha. On the other hand, the Bali Province Environmental Working Group and environmental activist I Gusti Rai Ari Temaja, also known as Gung Nik, also conducted an unannounced inspection to ascertain the source of the water flowing to the beach. “Indeed, so there is no mutual suspicion, we are giving it immediate attention. Whatever we find, we will inform immediately,” he said. From 09:00 WITA until 12:00 WITA, the team conducted tracing not only at the shoreline but also along the drainage channel suspected to be the water’s flow path to the sea. “We are investigating the flow path. We are making observations, and however it turns out, we must prevent waste water from entering the beach,” he stated. In the initial tracing, a suspicion arose that the water came from business waste around the location, but this could not yet be confirmed. “But this is still a suspicion, we are still looking for a more definite cause,” he added. If a violation is later found, he asserted there will be enforcement according to applicable regulations, ranging from guidance to control measures. “Yes, certainly, according to the existing rules. Control measures, guidance first, and so on, this remains. However it is, we will follow the existing rules,” he stressed. During the unannounced inspection, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Bali Regional Police also oversaw the investigation process in the field. As of now, the team is still awaiting laboratory test results and further in-depth investigation to determine the exact source of the water flowing to Segara Ayu Beach.