Water crisis in 2005 predicted

Water crisis in 2005 predicted

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta and its buffer zones, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi will need six times as much water in 2005 as they consumed in 1990, an official says.

Soeparmono, director general of water resources development at the Ministry of Public Works said industry and households would consume 138.1 cubic meters of water per second in 2005, Antara reported yesterday.

Data collected by the ministry in 1990 showed that Greater Jakarta consumed 21.44 cubic meters of water per second that year.

He estimated that 27 percent of the water would come from the ground, while the other 73 percent would be from the Citarum, Ciujung and Cidurian rivers in West Java.

Soeparmono described the situation as dangerous. "The situation could lead to great pressure on water sources and damage to the environment," he warned

He made the warning while opening a workshop entitled The Integrated Development and Management Water Sources in Jakarta and Its Buffer Zone on Monday.

He said groundwater had been over used in Greater Jakarta. "People have likely been carrying out 'water mining'," he said.

Soeparmono added that groundwater exploitation could lead to a drop in water table levels, sea water intrusion and pollution of the groundwater reserve.

"Land subsidence in certain areas could also occur," he said.

Subsidence has occurred in Central Jakarta. Jl. Gunung Sahari, close to the coastal area of Ancol, has been steadily sinking due to abusive groundwater use.

The 1980 census recorded that Greater Jakarta housed 16.9 million people and Jakarta proper 8.2 million.

With population growth steady at 2.4 percent in Jakarta, and 4.1 to 6.4 percent in Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi, there will be 39 million people living in the areas by 2025.

The phenomenal population growth will make a guaranteed water supply crucial and overburden the rivers. (10)