Sarwono hails idea to build homes on stilts

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja is in favor of a proposal that homes in water catchment areas be built on stilts.

The proposal, from South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko, was among other suggestions to help preserve water catchment areas.

"But the municipality should serve as an example and build its offices on stilts" in such areas, Sarwono said.

Locations in the mayoralty have been designated as the city's main water catchment areas. However, given the relatively cooler climate, they are also favorite sites for residential areas.

Sarwono had earlier addressed a seminar, which was held by the mayoralty, on preserving South Jakarta as a water catchment area.

Sarwono also urged that more information be given to residents on the need to build more water catchment wells.

Given the decreasing amount of water catchment areas, the mayor said houses planned for construction on plots of less than 500 square meters should be built on stilts.

The districts of Jagakarsa, part of Cilandak and a part of Pasar Minggu, all in South Jakarta, are particularly designated for water catchment areas. The current rule states that building is allowed on a maximum of 20 percent of the plots in the districts. In order for a building permit to be issued, a plot must be a minimum of 500 square meters.

A further decrease in water catchment areas in South Jakarta is also indicated by only two remaining natural ponds, the Mangga Bolong and Babakan ponds.

Pardjoko, Sarwono added, could easily secure support from high-ranking residents on policies to preserve water catchments, as "most ministers live in South Jakarta".

Pardjoko had also proposed that the city change rules on building limitations in water catchment areas.

But Pardjoko said given the increasing price of land, violations were likely to become rampant because many residents had smaller-sized plots. More buildings will be found without building permits, he said.

A way out of this problem, he said, would be to make mandatory the provision of collective areas for groundwater preservation.

He said this was suggested six months ago to the municipality, which is working on the idea.

The central government or the municipality, Pardjoko said, could buy the necessary plots from residents, but he acknowledged the source of funds might be a problem.

Deputy Governor for Developmental Affairs, Tb.M. Rais, said in his address that a maximum of 35 percent, or 800 million cubic meters of annual rainfall, enters into the ground. From this figure, he said the city's annual groundwater potential is around 77 million cubic meters per year.

As the safe limit for groundwater use is up to 70 percent, or 48 million cubic meters per year, Rais reiterated warnings that the intake has become critical. The city-owned water company, PDAM Jaya, has only catered to 48 percent of homes in Jakarta. (anr)