Sewage project proposed

JAKARTA: The City Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) is planning to propose a sewage management project called Integrated Waste Water and Sewage System to handle the city's household waste.

Kosasih Wirahadikusumah, the head of Bapedalda, said that Jakarta is far behind other cities in providing a proper sewage system and therefore groundwater in the city is highly contaminated with the coli bacteria.

"Digestive illnesses are second in number only to respiratory problems. This is because residents consume polluted water," Kosasih said.

The project, a consortium between the city administration, the administration of Sydney and some private Australian companies, will process the waste into industrial water, which can be used to water plants and supply water to the fire brigade. The estimated cost of the project is US$4.05 million.--JP