Semarang City Government and Residents Collaborate to Clean Jaten River

The Jaten River in Pudak Payung sub-district, Banyumanik, now appears considerably cleaner after the Semarang city government, together with various community elements, held a clean-up drive to mark National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN) on Saturday, 21 February 2026. The event, centred at the Pudak Payung waste collection point, involved residents, the River Task Force, regional agencies (OPD), community groups, and educational institutions.

Piles of rubbish previously lodged in the river were removed through collective effort. The impact was immediately felt by nearby residents — water flow improved, the risk of blockages beneath bridges was reduced, and the likelihood of overflow during heavy rain was diminished. The initiative served as a preventive measure during the wet season, when waste often exacerbates waterlogging and flooding.

Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng, who attended the event in person, explained that the Jaten River was chosen because it required a collaborative approach. “We selected a location that would be impossible for residents to tackle alone. So we brought together various elements, including the military, Climate Village Programme participants, Adiwiyata schools, and the surrounding community,” she said.

According to Agustina, earlier reports from residents indicated large quantities of rubbish had accumulated in the river, risking obstruction of water flow during periods of high rainfall. “Some flooding is caused by waste. When rubbish gets caught beneath bridges, water flow is blocked and can overflow. Cleaning this river is a preventive step,” she continued.

Beyond the physical clean-up, the Semarang city government also distributed waste-sorting bags to residents as a stimulus for behavioural change at the household level. Residents were encouraged to separate organic and inorganic waste before disposal, to prevent further contamination of the river.

The event involved regional agencies within the Semarang city government, local sub-district and village heads, waste bank managers, Saka Kalpataru scouts, the Clean Environment Task Force (River Task Force), Adiwiyata schools, community groups, and residents of Gedawang and Pudak Payung. The drive formed part of a series of HPSN activities commemorated every 21 February as an occasion to raise awareness of sustainable waste management.

Through the strengthening of the Berlian Task Force (Clean Environment and Rivers), the Semarang city government continues to encourage active participation from communities along riverbanks to maintain environmental cleanliness. Regular community service drives are being reinforced to ensure waterways remain free of waste. The city government affirmed that waste control begins at the household level — because a clean river is the result of discipline and collective collaboration.