Water shortage imminent in Balikpapan

Water shortage imminent in Balikpapan

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Residents of Balikpapan will likely be facing a water shortage, if rain does not fall within two weeks, an executive at the city's water company said on Wednesday.

Suhaidi said that the water shortage was looming, as the water level at the Manggar Dam, the prime source of water for the local tap water company, had sunk below two meters and was continually decreasing.

According to Suhaidi, the two-meter threshold was significant as the company's water pump machines were not able to tap water from the dam, if the level goes too far below that.

Suhaidi said that the company was hoping that rain would fall soon in the area, so that the water level in the dam could increase.

Munsjir, spokesman for the city administration, said the local tap water company had supplied less water due to the lowered water levels, from 1,900 cubic meters per hour in normal times to the current 1,400 cubic meters per hour. -- Antara