Sludge from PAM Jaya Water Project Suspected as Culprit Behind Stagnant Black Drainage Water in Kalideres
JAKARTA – Stagnant, intensely black and foul-smelling drainage water submerging Jalan Satu Maret, Pegadungan, Kalideres, West Jakarta, for more than two weeks is believed to have been triggered by sludge left over from a water pipeline excavation project.
The West Jakarta Regional Water Resources Agency (SDA) stated that the drainage channel became blocked after excavation material was disposed into it.
Purwanti Suryandari, Head of the West Jakarta Regional SDA, said her agency had inspected the location. Based on information from the local neighbourhood association, sludge from the PAM Jaya water pipeline project was dumped into the drainage channel on Jalan Satu Maret.
Purwanti expressed regret at this action as it has resulted in channel blockage and stagnation that disrupts residents’ activities.
She assured that her agency has demanded accountability from the project contractor to address the problem immediately.
“We have already coordinated with PAM to drain the channel,” said Purwanti.
Based on Kompas.com’s observation at the site on Monday afternoon, the darkened drainage water was seen overflowing and submerging portions of the roadway on Jalan Satu Maret. A pungent odour emanated from the stagnant water filling the roadside.
Motorcyclists and car drivers were forced to slow down when passing through the inundated area. The situation was worsened by damage to the road edge, which appeared broken and peeling due to exposure to contaminated water.
Around the location, white-blue project barrier boards remained installed, blocking one traffic lane. The boards bore the inscription: “Water pipeline service improvement work in progress” along with PAM Jaya’s call centre number.
Along the drainage channel, intensely black stagnant water filled the concrete drain and overflowed onto the road surface.
Dodi (64), a parking attendant at a nearby minimarket, said the stagnation began when the pipe excavation project commenced.
“It’s been a long time, more than two weeks, it started flooding before Ramadan. So this drainage water rose. This is foul-smelling water from the drain, after being excavated it became blocked, it won’t flow, since the excavation started,” said Dodi when speaking to Kompas.com at the location on Monday.
Similar complaints were raised by Irfan (27), a resident who frequently passes through the road. He reported being disturbed by the pungent odour from the stagnation.
“It smells, really bad, sometimes when I pass by I even hold my breath. It’s been a long time and it’s bothersome. It’s never been fixed, I’m confused too. Yet it’s stagnant like this every day,” said Irfan.
He hoped the government would promptly address the problem since the road is a main access route with heavy traffic.
As of publication, Kompas.com had contacted PAM Jaya’s Senior Manager of Corporate & Customer Communication, Gatra Vaganza, for confirmation, but had not yet received an official response.