World Water Day Becomes Momentum to Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water
World Water Day 2026, coinciding with Ramadan and Lebaran, marks a period when household consumption activities in Indonesia increase. A Redseer Strategy Consultants report noted that total consumer spending by Indonesians during last year’s Ramadan reached approximately Rp1.188 trillion, including various basic necessities. Within this dynamic, basic needs such as drinking water form part of household expenditure structures. However, access to truly safe drinking water remains a challenge.
Data from the National Socio-Economic Survey by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) shows that although more than 90% of households have access to adequate drinking water, the proportion of households with access to safe drinking water—meaning water meeting health quality standards—remains at around 11-12% nationally.
This disparity is visible in several regions and has become a focus in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 targets regarding universal access to safe and affordable drinking water. Globally, World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March, serves as a reminder that water is not merely a commodity but an essential need directly related to public health, productivity, and quality of life.
In this context, Blue Water is resuming its annual Free 1-Gallon Drinking Water Distribution programme, which has been conducted over the past five years in observance of World Water Day.
Yantje Wongso, Director of PT Biru Semesta Abadi, explained that every citizen is entitled to one gallon of free drinking water without purchase conditions or transaction requirements. Citizens need only bring their own empty gallon bottle to the nearest Blue outlet. This year’s programme is being held on Sunday, 15 March 2026, simultaneously from 08:00 to 12:00 local time across 766 outlets distributed across 46 cities and 15 provinces in Indonesia.
“This year’s distribution is projected at approximately 150,000 gallons or equivalent to 2,850,000 litres of drinking water, with an estimated value of around Rp1.3 billion. This figure represents an increase from last year’s approximately 1.28 million litres of drinking water distributed to the public,” said Yantje on Thursday (12 March 2026).
He stated that the programme carries the spirit of #BlueForAll, emphasising that quality drinking water is everyone’s right. This initiative positions access to drinking water as part of sustainable corporate social responsibility, aligned with efforts to expand the fulfilment of basic public needs.
“World Water Day must be understood as more than just an annual ceremony. World Water Day is a reminder that access to safe drinking water is a basic need that must be sustained. This is not a seasonal issue nor a symbolic agenda. Quality drinking water is the foundation of public health and productivity,” he said.
He added that the proximity of this year’s momentum with Ramadan and Lebaran further strengthens the relevance of the issue. “Ramadan is indeed a period when household consumption increases, including drinking water needs. However, for us, the timing context may change, but the urgency remains the same. Quality drinking water is the right of all people, whenever and under any circumstances. Through #BlueForAll, which has been running for five years, we ensure this commitment is present tangibly and consistently,” he explained.
According to him, the sustainability of the programme over five years demonstrates that this initiative is not a momentary response to an occasion but part of the company’s long-term responsibility in expanding access to safe and affordable drinking water in Indonesia.
“Beyond merely an annual commemoration, World Water Day becomes a moment to reassess how far the most essential needs of the public have been met equitably. Amidst ongoing social and economic dynamics, access to safe drinking water is no longer a disparity but a basic standard that should be equal for Indonesian society,” he concluded.
PT Indonesian Clearing and Guarantee of Securities (KPEI) is implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to support the provision of clean water facilities in several regions across Indonesia. Piping work is being carried out with the involvement of volunteer facilitators and the local community through mutual cooperation. The distribution of a 250 kVA generator to Langsa General Hospital was conducted to ensure electricity availability for hospital operations following a disaster. PLN electricity networks in all affected areas have returned to normal. However, a crucial issue still faced by residents is limited access to clean water. This process is claimed to be capable of eliminating iron, odours, turbidity, and deactivating bacteria and viruses up to 99% in water.