Water company studying pipe project proposals

Water company studying pipe project proposals

JAKARTA (JP): The City Water Company (PAM Jaya) is studying
proposals drafted by 10 private investors for the installation of
pipe networks that will provide better water distribution to the
public, the water company's director, H. Syamsu Romli, announced
yesterday.

Last week the city administration raised artesian well fees
for household, social, commercial and industrial use between 150
to 250 percent. With the hike it is expected that PAM Jaya will
be able to provide well water distribution to the public.

Of the 10 investors, two are foreign companies, one from
France and the other from England. PAM Jaya expects to finish
processing the proposals within three to four months.

"From this cooperation we have some advantages and can get
funds and expertise. At present it would be difficult for us to
install a new pipe network or improve the quality of our workers
due to limited funds and a lack of expertise," Syamsu said.

Cooperating with private investors will not only facilitate
the expansion and rehabilitation of the pipe network, he added,
but improve the management.

It is expected, he said, that the project will be completed by
the end of this year.

In 1995 PAM Jaya served 56 percent of the city's demand for
clean water and in 2000 (without private investor involvement).
It is expected that it will accommodate 63 percent of the demand.
The company will give priority to customers living in places,
where the conditions of artesian wells are poor, like in North
Jakarta (near the beach) and Central Jakarta, which is a highly
populated area, and West Jakarta.

The current project is designed to reduce the use of artesian
wells and to prevent the ground water level from declining
further. The city administration is striving to control artesian
well use, fearing that excessive use will speed up sea water
intrusion into the capital's ground water system. The usage of
artesian wells must be limited through stricter permit procedures
so as to avoid further degradation of land and the water system
in the capital. (31)