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)