Uncertainties Surrounding Groundwater in Jakarta’s Riverbanks

Clean water has become a „luxury item“ in Jakarta, especially for economically disadvantaged communities, some of whom live on riverbanks. Clean water is purchased to avoid pollution from rivers that threaten groundwater in residential areas.

In Jakarta, access to clean water is a luxury that many economically disadvantaged communities cannot afford. This is particularly true for those living on riverbanks, where pollution from the rivers poses a serious threat to the groundwater in residential areas. As a result, many families are forced to purchase branded gallon water, despite the high cost, to ensure that they have access to clean drinking water.

One such family is the Rakilah family, who have been living on farming land by the edge of Kali Buaran in Kelurahan Jatinegara, Cakung District, East Jakarta for 30 years. They have recently made the switch from refilled water to branded gallon water due to concerns about the quality of the water. „In the past, I used refillable gallons of water for a long time. But, sometimes there are small animals that like to get mossy. Now I buy branded water. It doesn’t matter if it’s expensive, the important thing is to be healthy,“ said Rakilah, the head of the family.

The Rakilah family spends up to IDR 200,000 per month on purchasing drinking water, which is significantly more expensive than the maximum cost of IDR 50,000 spent on refilled gallon water. This expenditure must be met despite Rakilah and his wife having odd jobs to support their family. Rakilah even recently lost his job working on a neighboring resident’s vegetable garden, further adding to the financial strain.

In other areas of Jakarta, residents living on the banks of the Ciliwung River and in dense settlements also face challenges in accessing clean water. Many residents are forced to buy branded refill or gallon water for their consumption, as they do not have access to clean groundwater. Some residents even resort to boiling groundwater from their bor well, despite doubts about its cleanliness.

The doubts among Jakarta’s riverside residents regarding the quality of their groundwater have been scientifically proven by hydrogeological research. Research has shown that the quality of groundwater in major cities is as poor as that of river water, with high levels of dissolved solids that can contain harmful elements. This poses a significant threat to the health of residents who rely on groundwater for their drinking water.

The Department of Environment (DLH) of Jakarta has reported that at least 70 percent of rivers in Jakarta are heavily polluted, with biological matter being the biggest source of pollution. This pollution poses a threat to groundwater as rivers in Jakarta are heavily polluted, increasing the potential for river water to contaminate the groundwater.

Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to improve access to clean water in Jakarta. The Regional Public Water Company Jaya (PAM Jaya) provides piped water services to approximately 900,000 customers, but this only covers about 66 percent of the targeted coverage. The piping network is still limited to 107 neighborhoods located on the riverbanks, leaving many residents still reliant on purchasing clean water.

In conclusion, access to clean water remains a significant challenge for many residents in Jakarta, particularly those living on riverbanks. The high levels of pollution in the rivers pose a threat to the groundwater, forcing many families to purchase branded water at a high cost. Efforts to improve access to clean water are ongoing, but more needs to be done to ensure that all residents have access to safe and clean drinking water.