Tangerang residents lack water

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of families in Benda district, Tangerang, are complaining about severe water shortages.

Due to the limited availability of piped water, residents are forced to spend extra money to obtain enough water for their daily needs. Vendors sell water for Rp 150 per 20 liters.

Residents contacted by The Jakarta Post said most wells in the area have water which is yellowish in color and undrinkable.

"We don't dare drink the water lest we fall ill," said Sukanta, a local, on Thursday.

"We have to leave the water in buckets so that the sediment can settle enough for us to use the water for washing or drinking," he said.

The lack of water, which happened gradually over a period of time, has sparked unrest among the villagers. Most are from the lower income sector.

Sutiman, an owner of a food stall in the village, said he has to set aside Rp 5,000 per day just to buy water, which is usually transported from Kalideres, West Jakarta.

"I have to do this so as to prevent my customers from going elsewhere. If a customer becomes ill because of the water used in my cooking or utensil washing they might not return to my stall again," he said.

Nana Mulyana, head of Benda district, said the Tangerang administration has built three water catchments, each with a capacity of 5,000 liters, to ensure an adequate supply of water in the area. The catchments are dry most of the time according to Nana.

"We have asked the Tangerang water company to supply water routinely but so far there has been no response," he said.

In a related development, Agus Burhanudin, an executive of the Tangerang mayoralty, said the city administration has earmarked Rp 200 million for the procuring of two tank trucks and other facilities to support water supply to the Benda district.

"The trucks are available. Just wait. They will soon be operational and will help ease the water problem," he stated. (13/22)