Water problem and drought

Water problem and drought

From Media Indonesia

The well in our house has dried up due to the long drought. The same problem also plagues our neighbors and, I believe, many families in this capital city.

Now we have to take a long walk to a distant neighbor just to take a bath. This has gone on for weeks and we will keep on worrying until the rain comes.

Actually we have deepened our well in the past despite our awareness that this could endanger the environment. I have read somewhere that the land in Jakarta has sunk as much as 30 centimeters along Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin due to an excessive drawing of ground water. Isn't it perilous? We have to remember that we owe this earth to our future generations.

The PAM Jaya city water company installed pipes in my neighborhood in late 1993 but strangely the project did not benefit us. Once we inquired to the company and an official who met us said: "Just be patient, everyone will have access to the water company," he said.

Now, almost a year has passed, and nothing has happened. Sometimes I think, especially during a long drought like this one, that PAM Jaya is taking advantage of its customers.

I hope I am wrong but in the meantime I continue to suffer from a shortage of water.

ANDRIYANTO

Jakarta