SPAM Operations Halted, Bintan Regency Relies on Boreholes for Residents
The Bintan Regency Government has taken swift action following the cessation of operations at the SPAM IKK Seri Kuala Lobam water supply system, which has impacted clean water provision for the community. As an emergency solution, the regency will build boreholes in several affected areas.
Bintan Regency Secretary Ronny Kartika stated that this measure is intended to ensure that the community’s clean water needs continue to be met amid drought conditions that have persisted for over a month.
“Our top priority is to ensure the community still has access to clean water. These boreholes represent the quickest solution we can implement,” he said on Tuesday (1/4).
The borehole construction is planned at three sites: Tanjung Permai Ward, Teluk Lobam Ward, and Teluk Sasah Village. These three areas are the most affected by the SPAM operations halt.
According to him, construction will commence shortly, with a target for operations within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, clean water distribution through regional device organisations (OPD) and assistance from private parties continues to meet residents’ needs.
“Later, these boreholes can be used by the community free of charge for 24 hours. Their temporary locations will be in the yards of ward and village offices for easy access,” he explained.
He added that the local government is also open to adding more borehole sites if necessary, particularly for communities living far from the initial locations.
“The team will soon conduct surveys and studies. If there are other more strategic and feasible locations, we will certainly consider them,” he added.
In addition to short-term measures, Bintan Regency is preparing medium- and long-term strategies by assessing the potential of raw water sources from several reservoirs in the area.
One of them is the reservoir in Kampung Limau, Busung Village, which, based on technical studies, has a volume and water acidity level (pH) that meets standards as a raw water source for SPAM.
With these various measures, Bintan Regency hopes the clean water crisis experienced by the community can be resolved quickly while preventing similar impacts in the future.