'We rely the kindness of others'

'We rely the kindness of others'

The recent forecast of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency
(BMG) indicates that the dry season will peak in September and
rain will not start to fall until October. Areas of Java have
been hit by the most severe drought since 1997. Some residents
face daunting circumstances, with water literally running out
before their eyes. Tap water and artesian wells can no longer
supply their daily needs. The Jakarta Post asked them how they
were surviving.

Agus, 20, is sidewalk vendor selling hats at Cipulir, South
Jakarta. He lives with his brother in Kampung Baru, South
Jakarta:

I am really concerned about the water shortage in my
residence. The artesian well has been dry for a month. The only
way to survive is to rely on the kindness of the house owner for
our daily water needs.

In our rented house, there are four families who count on the
owner's hospitality since his tap water is running quite well.

Every day we have to queue to take a bath and to get water for
washing and drinking.

You know, it begins to get embarrassing because every day we
have to go through the same routine. He doesn't have the heart to
refuse maybe, but I don't want to take advantage of him either. I
try to make do with less so I'm not a nuisance.

So, now I have accustomed myself to only one bath a day, at
night after work.

I let my dirty clothes pile up in my room. Only at the weekend
do I have enough water to wash them.

I wish there was a door-to-door vendor selling water in this
area.

But there is no such convenience. If I don't ask for the
owner's water I will be smelly all week.

Yos, 31, is the father of one daughter, he resides in Kayu
Jati, East Jakarta. His wife works at a non-governmental
organization:

When I decided to move to Jakarta I knew the consequences.
Water shortages are one of many problems that I have to face.

I prefer to drink mineral water since the artesian well water
is not safe for consumption.

I spend around Rp 64,000 (US$7.7) to Rp 80,000 every month for
water. That's big spending for me.

It is so expensive. My monthly bill for tap water reaches only
Rp 25,000. I continue to pay for tap water because I can use it
for washing and bathing.

However, health is priceless, I would rather pay than be
poisoned. I don't want to drink tap water because I have heard
terrible stories about the quality of the water and the service
of the system in the city.

Just in case it gets really bad, I managed to dig my artesian
well deeper, despite the poor quality of its water.

Anyway, I hope the taps keep running with enough water to
cover my daily washing needs.

Ratna, 40, is a food stall vendor in Radio Dalam, South
Jakarta. She lives nearby with her husband and two children:

I haven't experienced any serious problems with my water
supply because I have my own artesian well. But I will be really
worried if this condition continues.

The volume is getting smaller as a result of the dry season.

My neighbors have been complaining about the disrupted tap
water supply for a month. Some said that they only had enough
left for a couple of days.

Even if they have it, the water smells disgusting and is a
cloudy, white color. So, if they want to use it for cooking or
drinking they have to sterilize it, usually overnight.

I know about this because they ask for clean water from my
house.

If they could afford an electric water pump I know they would
use it to get artesian water.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.