'We have no choice but to use polluted water'

Believing that the groundwater in the capital is badly polluted and contaminated, some residents shared their worries about possible side effects to their health. Industrial zones with their wastes and poor public awareness regarding the preservation of the environment have worsened the groundwater quality. Some expressed what they felt to The Jakarta Post.

Heru Hardoyo, 33, an employee of an industry in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta. He moved to Jakarta from his hometown in Central Java five years ago. He now resides in Klender, East Jakarta, with his wife:

In my opinion water quality in areas surrounding the industrial zones, including Pulo Gadung, is getting worse from day to day.

Most of the water here was severely affected by industrial waste.

The situation makes me feel worried about our health. Now I have to think twice when buying vegetables sold at the nearby traditional markets as the supplies are from the small farms located close to the industrial zones.

I see the local farmers watering the vegetables with dirty and smelly water. I don't know for sure whether or not the vegetables which are washed with contaminated water has side effects for my family's health.

Personally, I doubt whether the water treatment systems made available by the industries could cope with the environmental problems.

Juni Arianti, 30, a teacher for a private senior high school in Alam Sutera, Tangerang. The Yogyakarta-born lady has lived in Serpong, Tangerang, for more than four years:

As far as I know, the water in Tangerang contains lead, and the growing industrial zones have deteriorated the water quality.

Once I witnessed how the water supply company filters and processes the tap water. The raw water was black and very dirty. An official at the treatment plant said that the water produced was not potable.

That makes me not drink unboiled or undistilled water.

I'm just concerned about the low income families living nearby the industrial zones. I wonder if they have to spend much money just for potable water.

The water quality in the city, I think, is deteriorating.

I just blame the public ignorance by littering any place, including rivers and waterways.

Henny, 30, a housewife who lives in Bekasi with her husband and two children. She has been in Bekasi for more than five years:

The groundwater in my housing complex in Bekasi really makes me sick. Every day I get a stomachache upon seeing the yellowish and bad-smelling water at home.

Worse still, I have no other choice but to use the water for bathing and washing as the tap water from PAM Jaya is not yet available in the area. I spend more or less Rp 100,000 for bottled mineral water to drink and cook every month.

Besides, I have to spend more money for cleaning the water stains in my toilets and water container.

I don't know anymore whether it is extremely polluted or not. All I know is the water is really disgusting.

I'm just scared knowing the neighbors have skin problems due to the poor quality water.

I'm upset, but I have to take the polluted water.