Tue, 17 May 2005

Seawater turned into potable water

JAKARTA: The City Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD) says it plans to apply River Osmosis technology to turn seawater into potable water.

Agency head Kosasih Wirahadikusumah said on Monday BPLHD had signed an agreement with city-owned company PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol (TIJA) to implement the technology.

TIJA is also the operator of the Ancol Dreamland Park in Ancol, North Jakarta.

"This agreement is based on a request made by the company," Kosasih said during a hearing with the City Council's commission D overseeing development affairs.

Kosasih said Ancol was one of the biggest customers of city tap water company PD PAM Jaya, paying a water bill of up to Rp 2.5 billion a month.

The huge expenses had prompted the company to seek alternative ways to supply clean water, he said. --JP