Water supply may return to normal within two weeks
Water supply may return to normal within two weeks
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of thousands of Jakartans will live
with less or even no tap water in the next two weeks while the
government rebuilds the collapsed West Tarum dike in Kali Malang,
East Jakarta.
The central government, in cooperation with city water
companies and state water company Perum Jasa Tirta II, is
currently working on the collapsed dike.
Director general of water resources at the Ministry of
Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno, said on
Wednesday that the construction work would be completed within
two weeks.
Soenarno said that his office, along with Jasa Tirta II and
city water companies, had reinforced the collapsed part of the
dike with some 2,200 plastic sacks filled with soil, supported by
bamboo and wood.
"We have had to reduce the water debit from the usual 14 cubic
meters per second to only four cubic meter per second. Otherwise,
I'm afraid the temporary dike will collapse again," he told a
media conference here.
"But hopefully, the dike can be operated again normally on
June 6 as planned," Soenarno said, adding that the restoration
would cost some Rp 200 million (about US$18,181).
Some 15 to 20 meters of the dike -- which measures 20 meters
wide by six meter high, collapsed on Monday afternoon.
As a result, thousands of tap water customers of PT Thames Pam
Jaya and PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya in North, East and some parts of
Central Jakarta were without water when Perum Jasa Tirta II cut
off supplies.
According to Soenarno, there was a leak in the pipe between
the dike and the sluice gate which caused a cavity in the dike.
"Because of its own weight and the endless vibration from its
surroundings caused by traffic, the dike then collapsed,"
Soenarno said.
He added that the dike itself is very old, as it was
established in 1958.
"There has been regular control and maintenance over the dike.
But it is difficult to monitor the piping as it is very deep
underground," Soenarno said.
"And it was not equipped with monitoring instruments when it
was built," he added.
The dam in Kali Malang, Soenarno said, was actually supported
by as inspection road.
"But following subsequent development, it became a public
road, so it became more difficult to monitor the dam," he
asserted.
The traffic then grew heavier, especially since the government
established a toll road.
"The strange thing was, a pillar of the toll road was built
right on the dam. The vibration from the traffic and the weight
of the pillar then contributed to the collapse," Soenarno said.
Soenarno said that his office will inspect the Kali Malang
dike and other areas to assess the possibility of other
collapses.
Due to the cessation of water supply, many customers have had
to buy water from vendors or get it from neighbors who have an
artesian well. (hdn)
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of thousands of Jakartans will live
with less or even no tap water in the next two weeks while the
government rebuilds the collapsed West Tarum dike in Kali Malang,
East Jakarta.
The central government, in cooperation with city water
companies and state water company Perum Jasa Tirta II, is
currently working on the collapsed dike.
Director general of water resources at the Ministry of
Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno, said on
Wednesday that the construction work would be completed within
two weeks.
Soenarno said that his office, along with Jasa Tirta II and
city water companies, had reinforced the collapsed part of the
dike with some 2,200 plastic sacks filled with soil, supported by
bamboo and wood.
"We have had to reduce the water debit from the usual 14 cubic
meters per second to only four cubic meter per second. Otherwise,
I'm afraid the temporary dike will collapse again," he told a
media conference here.
"But hopefully, the dike can be operated again normally on
June 6 as planned," Soenarno said, adding that the restoration
would cost some Rp 200 million (about US$18,181).
Some 15 to 20 meters of the dike -- which measures 20 meters
wide by six meter high, collapsed on Monday afternoon.
As a result, thousands of tap water customers of PT Thames Pam
Jaya and PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya in North, East and some parts of
Central Jakarta were without water when Perum Jasa Tirta II cut
off supplies.
According to Soenarno, there was a leak in the pipe between
the dike and the sluice gate which caused a cavity in the dike.
"Because of its own weight and the endless vibration from its
surroundings caused by traffic, the dike then collapsed,"
Soenarno said.
He added that the dike itself is very old, as it was
established in 1958.
"There has been regular control and maintenance over the dike.
But it is difficult to monitor the piping as it is very deep
underground," Soenarno said.
"And it was not equipped with monitoring instruments when it
was built," he added.
The dam in Kali Malang, Soenarno said, was actually supported
by as inspection road.
"But following subsequent development, it became a public
road, so it became more difficult to monitor the dam," he
asserted.
The traffic then grew heavier, especially since the government
established a toll road.
"The strange thing was, a pillar of the toll road was built
right on the dam. The vibration from the traffic and the weight
of the pillar then contributed to the collapse," Soenarno said.
Soenarno said that his office will inspect the Kali Malang
dike and other areas to assess the possibility of other
collapses.
Due to the cessation of water supply, many customers have had
to buy water from vendors or get it from neighbors who have an
artesian well. (hdn)