World Water Day: A Series of Pertamina's Stories from Papua to Disaster-Affected Areas

For years, thousands of residents in Kampung Tambat, Merauke, Papua, depended on the mercy of the skies for their water needs. When clouds failed to appear, they resorted to manual wells with sulphur-scented water—a difficult choice between thirst and health risks. Kampung Tambat’s head, Samuel Heremba, recalls those challenging times. “In the past, we relied heavily on rainwater collection. There were wells, but the water contained sulphur and was not safe for use,” he stated in a written remark on Tuesday (24/3/2026). However, those worries have now dissipated. Through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme, PT Pertamina (Persero) has introduced a complete borehole system with a storage reservoir and filtration facilities. Its arrival was eagerly anticipated; even before the official inauguration ceremony, residents flocked with their jerry cans. “Now, the community no longer worries about sulphur content or water shortages during the dry season. The water is much cleaner, and the storage is ample,” Samuel said with a gleam of gratitude. Commemorating World Water Day on 22 March 2026, Pertamina’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, noted that early in 2026, the company had built seven borehole points equipped with filters and distribution pipes in Merauke and Jayapura. These facilities now serve 4,585 individuals who previously struggled to access potable water. “For Pertamina, this clean water initiative is not merely physical infrastructure development but an effort to uphold human dignity in the most needy areas. This programme serves as a bridge of hope so that residents in remote Papua and disaster survivors in Sumatra can begin rebuilding their lives decently,” Baron emphasised. A similar story, though wrapped in different sorrow, is felt by disaster survivors in Sumatra. There, floods and mudslides temporarily cut off clean water access, leaving despair for residents like Putera. He described the water they had to filter from ditches as ‘cappuccino water’ due to its thick brown colour. In response to the emergency, Pertamina acted swiftly by constructing 25 new wells, reactivating 43 community wells affected by the disaster, and distributing five million litres of water through tanker trucks. This step became a new breath for more than 17,000 beneficiaries in the disaster areas. “This clean water is very helpful. Previously, we used ditch water. As soon as this aid arrived about two weeks after the incident, we were truly assisted,” said Yanti, one of the Sumatra disaster survivors. This clean water facility provision programme is Pertamina’s concrete step in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its main focus is on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Proper Sanitation), strengthened by contributions to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Change Action) through enhancing community resilience against disasters and droughts. For residents in Merauke, Jayapura, and survivors in Sumatra, every drop of clear flowing water is tangible proof that Pertamina’s care is present, serving wholeheartedly right up to their doorsteps.