Water firms flooded by increasing demands
Water firms flooded by increasing demands
JAKARTA (JP): The city-owned water company (PAM Jaya) is
overwhelmed with demands for clean drinking water due to the
current prolonged dry season.
"We will do our utmost to cope with the shortage of drinking
water in various areas in Jakarta," Poedjijono, one of PAM Jaya's
directors, said yesterday as quoted by Suara Pembaruan.
He said the company has continued to monitor areas which are
suffering from a dearth of clean drinking water, including the
Seribu islands.
"But I'm afraid to say that we can't regularly distribute
water to the people there because our water supply is also
limited," Poedjijono said. "Besides that we will have to pay
attention to other areas which also badly need water."
So far PAM Jaya has provided 36 tons of water for people in
several villages in the Seribu islands. But it seems more water
is still needed by the people there especially in the wake of a
diarrhea outbreak because many of the area's residents were
forced to drink highly polluted water in the absence of clean
drinking water.
Poedjono said PAM Jaya might not be able to provide more water
to Seribu islanders. "We will have to provide water for other
areas, and we have problems transporting water there."
He said for the time being people living in Seribu islands can
get water for free in Muara Angke.
"This is only for the time being. We will have to think what
the next measures we should take to overcome the acute shortage
of water there," Poedjijono said. He expressed concern over
reports that one person has died and over 30 others have been
hospitalized in several villages in the islands affected by
diarrhea.
Earlier this year North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito expressed
similar concern over the fate of the diarrhea-affected people
and instructed the mayoralty health office to intensify efforts
to help the victims.
The epidemic has affected area residents since early this
month. Unless prompt and effective action is taken to cope with
the scarcity of water there, it is feared that the disease could
spread further and claim more lives. (bas)