Villagers in Purwakarta Forced to Use Puddle Water Finally Receive Clean Water Aid

A total of 221 families, or 685 individuals, in Kampung Sindang Reret, Batu Tumpang Village, Tegalwaru District, Purwakarta, have finally received clean water aid. Previously, residents of the hamlet were hit by a clean water crisis and forced to use puddle water. The clean water aid distributed reached 9,000 litres, consisting of 5,000 litres from the Purwakarta Regency BPBD and 4,000 litres from the Tegalwaru District Government on Wednesday (22/7). The distribution of clean water involved personnel from the Purwakarta Regency BPBD, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Tegalwaru District Public Order Enforcers (Trantib), and Batu Tumpang Village officials using a water tank vehicle belonging to BPBD and an operational vehicle from the Desa Merah Putih Cooperative. Tegalwaru Sub-district Head, Endang Saepudin, urged the public, especially in villages that are prone to drought during the dry season, to use water wisely because the availability of clean water and water sources during the dry season is very limited. ‘If there is a shortage of clean water, the community is expected to immediately report to the neighbourhood and community unit heads, and the village government. Subsequently, the village government can submit a request for assistance to the sub-district or relevant agencies such as BPBD, the regional water company (PDAM), and other services so that the distribution of clean water aid can be carried out as soon as possible,’ said Endang. Endang asked the public to be careful in utilising alternative water sources. According to him, residents must not use water sources that are suspected to be contaminated or endanger health. As previously reported, residents in Batu Tumpang Village, Tegalwaru District, were forced to use dirty puddle water in former soil excavations due to a clean water crisis caused by drought over the past three months.