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)