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Is it true that Indonesia and the world are facing a possible clean water crisis?

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July 30, 2024
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by Luthfi Mardiansyah
Air

Water is a priceless source of life. Clean water problems and solutions are very important for health.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) once said (2017), no less than 2 (two) billion people in the world live without access to clean water. The United Nations (UN) in 2019 also noted the same thing, as many as 2.2 billion people or a quarter of the world’s population still lack safe drinking water.

Indonesia, an archipelagic country with abundant water wealth, is now haunted by a terrifying scourge: the clean water crisis. Ironically, this crisis is not just a shadow, but a harsh reality faced by millions of Indonesians. The report from the Indonesia Statistic Bureau (BPS), in 2023 shows that only 70.71% of the Indonesian population has access to drinking water suitable for consumption. The rest, 29.29%, or 87 million people, still depend on unsafe water. 

The results of the Household Drinking Water Quality Study (SKAMRT) from the Indonesia Ministry of Health in 2020 stated that 7 out of 10 Indonesian households consume drinking water contaminated with Escherichia coli (E-coli) bacteria. The study also showed that 31% percent of households in Indonesia consume refillable water, 15.9% of protected dug wells, and 14.1% of drilled/pumped wells. Access to decent drinking water in Indonesia reaches 93 percent. Meanwhile, access to safe drinking water is only 11.9 percent.

The water availability projection report by the Indonesia Statistics Bureau (BPS) even stated that the per capita water availability in Indonesia is predicted to be 181,498 cubic meters in 2035, far reduced from the availability in 2010 which was still around 265,420 cubic meters per capita per year.

Impact to public health.

The impact of this clean water crisis is on public health problems, including; diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid disease as well as the occurrence of stunting cases in children. Limited access to clean water can also trigger social conflicts, in fighting over water sources. So that the clean water crisis is like a ticking time bomb that threatens the stability and future of the nation.

 

Problems related to clean water in Indonesia are: (1) limited access, (2) poor water quality, (3) unequal access, (4) climate change and (5) lack of efficient investment and management.

The root of the problem.

The root of the clean water crisis in Indonesia are:

  • Water Pollution: Water pollution due to industrial, household, and agricultural waste is one of the main factors. Poorly treated waste pollutes rivers, lakes, and other water sources, lowering water quality and endangering public health. This pollution is like a poison that slowly poisons the source of life.
  • Lack of water infrastructure: The uneven and minimal availability of water infrastructure, such as water pipelines and water treatment plants (IPA), exacerbates the difficulty of accessing clean water for people in rural areas and small islands. Ironically, in the midst of water wealth, millions of people still struggle to get clean water for their basic needs.
  • Climate Change: Prolonged droughts in some areas due to climate change are also exacerbating the clean water crisis. This drought causes groundwater and surface water sources to decrease, thus exacerbating the difficulty of accessing clean water for the community. The impact of climate change is like a monster that will slowly reduce water resources.

Conclusion.

Although many efforts have been made by the Indonesian government, there are still many challenges that must be faced, some of which are; limited funds to build and repair water infrastructure, lack of public awareness about the importance of saving and maintaining water sustainability, weaknesses in law enforcement that are gaps in damage and lack of coordination and synergy between related institutions in handling the clean water crisis.

The clean water crisis in Indonesia is a real challenge that requires comprehensive solutions and collaborative efforts from the government, society, and the private sector. By investing in water infrastructure, sustainable education, raising public awareness, sustainable management, utilizing and using the latest technologies and adapting to climate change, we can overcome the challenges and ensure clean water is a fundamental right for all Indonesians. We can build a better future with safe and sustainable access to clean water for all Indonesians.

 

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