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