Urban water projects underway

Urban water projects underway

JAKARTA (JP): New South Wales Water Management of Australia
and Generale Derresoux of France are expected to invest US$145
million in a joint development of water supply projects in
Bandung of West Java and in Medan of North Sumatra.

"The two companies are now finalizing their feasibility
studies at the project sites," Director General for Construction
Development of the Ministry of Public Works, Rachmadi B.
Soemadhijo, told reporters after the opening of a three-day
workshop yesterday.

He said the Bandung project, which will cost $120 million,
will include the installation of a water treatment plant for
processing waste and polluted water in the city, as well as the
construction of water supply and distribution facilities.

The two companies will also get involved in the development of
a water treatment plant in Medan, with an investment of $25
million. The planned project will be able to improve potable
water supplies in the city, he said.

Rachmadi expects that a deal on the projects will be signed by
the middle of this year.

The workshop, which was opened by Minister of Public Works
Radinal Moochtar, was held to follow up the cooperation on
housing, watering and urban development between the ministry and
the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
of Australia.

Radinal said the workshop, which will be continued on Monday
and Tuesday in Bandung, will explore various opportunities for
cooperation on housing and irrigation technology, modular
building practice, low-cost housing development, unification of
codes and standards, testing and certification and various
research projects. (fhp)