Water program helpful to villagers
Water program helpful to villagers
TANGERANG (JP): The construction of four tanks in Jurumudi Baru subdistrict has helped residents in the village receive cleaner and cheaper water, local residents said.
Khodijah, a mother of five, said she used to pay Rp 500 (9 US cents) for 20 liters of clean water every day, but after the construction of the tanks, she only paid Rp 100 for the same amount of water.
Another resident, Tinah, told The Jakarta Post that before the government constructed the tanks, she had to buy clean water for drinking and cooking from vendors since the groundwater in the area was too salty.
Tinah said her family of four needed about three cans of clean water (about 60 liters) per day.
"I can save money now because the water provided by the government is much cheaper," Tinah told the Post.
She hoped this was a long-term program.
The tank construction in Jurumudi Baru subdistrict is part of the first phase of a Rp 174 billion project to supply clean water to 150 drought-prone areas in the country by the government. The funds are part of the government's savings from the reduction of fuel subsidies.
Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna Witoelar launched the program earlier this month to help people living in draught-prone areas. She visited the village on Saturday.
The first phase of the program, covering 266 subdistricts across the country, costs Rp 50 billion.
According to the program head, Rachmad Karmadi, each of the four tanks in Jurumudi Baru subdistrict is equipped with two small carts and 20 cans.
The cost of a tank ranges from Rp 6 million to Rp 9.5 million," he said after accompanying the minister during the visit.
The residents have to pay as much as Rp 100 for 20 liters of clean water of which Rp 20 goes to the local government-owned water utility agency.
A resident group called Community Self-Reliance Group (KSM), is responsible for the management and operation of the tanks.
Rachmad said supervisors from non-governmental organizations had been assigned to help the group manage the tanks.
Endi, one of the supervisors, said the villagers will hold monthly meetings with local officials to discuss the problems in managing the tanks. (04)