Water business in Gunungkidul thrives during drought

Water business in Gunungkidul thrives during drought

Antara, Yogyakarta

Selling clean water is regarded as a lucrative venture during the
dry season in Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta, because there are
huge profits to be made.

Traders say that all you need to make money are enough funds
to provide the product, knowledge of your clientele and
determination.

"A tanker truck with a 5,000-liter capacity and a small
motorized water pump is needed to start the business," said a
water trader from Ponjong district, Hadi Subroto.

A trader will gain more profit if he drives the truck himself,
but usually a trader will hire an experienced driver.

But, even though it is highly lucrative, the business is not
without its risks due to the harsh geographical conditions of the
Gunungkidul area which is mostly rocky and hilly.

"A tanker can slip and plunge into a ravine if a driver
miscalculates, because the water must be distributed to isolated
villages via roads that are rocky and narrow," said Hadi
recently.

A trader in Wonosari district, Yanto, said he usually sells 10
tanks of clean water at Rp 60,000 (US$7.00) to Rp 80,000 per tank
and is able to gross Rp 600,000 a day.

Operational costs for buying fuel and water from an artesian
well at Rp 6,000 per tank and the daily wages for the driver and
his assistant would be deducted, so a tanker owner could earn
around Rp 200,000 to Rp 300,000 net a day.

A trader or tanker owner could earn around Rp 6 million a
month and at the very least earn Rp 24 million during the dry
season which usually lasts for four months.

The distribution areas for the business are vast, encompassing
areas prone to water shortages such as Tepus, Rongkop, Girisubo,
Semanu, Tanjungsari, Saptosari, Pangang, Paliyan and Purwosari
districts.

The PDAM state-owned water company network has not reached
this region yet.