Water contaminated with e-coli bacteria

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) campaign manager, Raja Siregar, said on Friday that the piled up waste in the capital had polluted 80 percent of groundwater with e-coli bacteria.

The bad quality groundwater later becomes one of the most prominent sources of digestive tract infections and skin diseases, he said.

The bacteria, which causes diarrhea, has been spreading rapidly as the city does not have a special drainage system for domestic waste. It results in the contaminant to enter groundwater sources.

"Jakarta's poor city planning has contributed to the high level of contamination of the capital's water. Today, with established buildings and houses, it would be impossible to install a drainage system," he told The Jakarta Post. -- JP