Water disputes possible in unregulated provinces: Erna
Water disputes possible in unregulated provinces: Erna
By Edith Hartanto
ENREKANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna Witoelar warned on Monday of possible water disputes between provinces which are not included or directly regulated in the law on regional autonomy.
Erna revealed that her office is organizing a meeting between regents to help seek a solution to possible disputes over water between regions, including establishing a joint-regional water board.
"Water runs through rivers and lakes across regional boundaries, and it needs thorough management from source to mouth to avoid unequal distribution," Erna told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the 41st anniversary of Enrekang regency.
She reminded local administrators not to commercialize the precious natural commodity and to share the resource as "water is a renewable, flowing source that is free to everyone."
"Regional leaders must remember that they should not collect levies for water, but for the service of its management and conservation process and it should not be a public burden," Erna said.
She pointed out that several regions such as Cirebon, West Java, were trying to charge other areas fees for water.
"If water is being charged, only rich people can consume it. Water should be considered more as a social commodity," she added.
Water disputes have also taken place between the Jakarta City administration and its outlying areas of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi.
Flood
The minister also warned local leaders on possible extensive flooding in nine regencies in South Sulawesi located near Lake Tempe following widespread sedimentation in the area.
"No less than 500,000 cubic meters of mudflows takes place every year which lead to sedimentation in the lake. Imagine the damage and flooding potential," minister Erna said.
There are around 10,000 people that would be affected by floods.
On Monday the minister and her entourage brought about the first meeting on water management since the implementation of regional autonomy last month with seven regents in South Sulawesi.
"After the session the regents agreed to jointly build facilities needed to save the lake from flooding and sedimentation.
"Regencies of Bone, Sidrap, Wajo, Maros, Enrekang, Sopeng and Wajo will together collect funds and spread work to build water barriers, irrigation systems and a farming waste management system," minister Erna added.
To avoid water shortage supplies in the dry season and flooding in rainy weather the ministry is planning to build a 600-meter long control barrier worth Rp 60 billion in Cenrarae river near Tampangeng bridge in Sengkang, Wajo regency.
Two other rivers, Bila and Walanaya, are the water sources of Lake Tempe.
A 9,000-hectare irrigation plot is located near Bila river, which has contributed to farming waste flowing into Lake Tempe.
"We are jotting down details of the project and are trying to reach a fair agreement between regions due to the fact that some downstream regions feel they are only receiving water waste from those who utilize the water upstream," Director General for Water Resources Soenarno said.
The project may start in 2003, he added.
"The government has provided Rp 1 billion for the preparation scheme and the rest will probably come from grants or soft loans."
The planned control barrier will function as a water gate that can hold or control the flow of water and maintain it at a moderate level.
In past years, Lake Tempe was used as a connecting route to the sea but has not been operational due to severe sedimentation.
Local residents also expressed concern over flood problems in the area.
A local fisherman named Laode Lago recalled the biggest flood which occurred in 1999.
"The water level reached over one meter...The flood eventually subsided after a month," the 48-year-old man said.
"It's hard to find fish, too," another fisherman named Bedu who has been fishing for over 30 years, said.
"The water is muddy and the fish rare," he said.
On Feb. 20 the ministry will hold similar flood prevention and water management meetings involving 18 regencies and two governors of Central and East Java on the Bengawan Solo river.