Tighter control of groundwater use urged

Tighter control of groundwater use urged

JAKARTA (JP): Soeparmono, the Director General for Water
Resource Development at the Ministry of Public Works reiterated
earlier calls for tighter regulation on ground water use
yesterday.

Groundwater should be the last option in water use because it
should be conserved for future generations, Soeparmono said when
opening a one-day seminar held in conjunction with International
Water Day, which falls on March 22.

He said regulation of groundwater was a form of consideration
of other people.

"Most people (who exploit ground water) are more concerned
about the immediate advantages they get at the expense of
others," he said.

The event was jointly organized with the National Committee
for Irrigation and Drainage, and other parties.

Groundwater regulation comes under the authority of the
Ministry of Mines and Energy. Earlier Governor Surjadi Soedirdja
said there was only enough groundwater here for eight more years.

Adjat Sudrajat, the ministry's director general for geology
and energy resources, said Wednesday at another discussion, that
he agreed with a proposed rule, on progressive rates on
groundwater use, from the Jakarta administration.

Now fees are only charged for using artesian well water, those
using jet pumps get it for free.

According to a 1994 city rule, users of artesian wells at
least 40 meters deep have to pay a monthly fee.

Agency head Arifin Akbar said the fees for household, social
and industrial use of artesian wells were increased by 150 to 250
percent.

There are 3,100 artesian wells in the city, owned by 2,000
government offices, private companies and individuals. Several
without permits have been closed.

A. Salam HS of the Indonesian Forum for Environment,WALHI,
cited a study which revealed saltwater intrusion of groundwater
had reached Kuningan, South Jakarta.

The study was conducted by the Indonesian Institute of
Science.

In 1993 the sea water intrusion was reported to have reached
Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta and Cililitan, East Jakarta. The
studies found the intrusion led to corrosion of the foundations
of skyscrapers and contamination of groundwater. (11)