Dam's state worries water operator

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Bogor, the main supplier of raw water to Jakarta, Depok and Bekasi, may experience water shortages if the administration does not repair and rehabilitate Cisadane Dam.

The warning was issued by Bogor-owned water operator PD Tirta Pakuan following the evaluation of sedimentation problems in Cisadane River.

"Seventy-five percent of the raw water distributed by Tirta Pakuan is taken from the river. We fear water shortages if no action is taken to control the sedimentation and rehabilitate the dam," company director Syaban Maulana said Wednesday.

The other sources of raw water are springs in Kota Batu, Tangkil and Bantar Kambing subdistricts.

As of June 2006, PD Tirta Pakuan supplied piped water to 71,391 customers.

Syaban said that during the rainy season the river had silted up at different places.

"Although the water quality in Cisadane River is far better than Ciliwung River, the build up of sedimentation in the river will reduce water supply to Tirta Pakuan," he said.

He said the company had intensified efforts to re-green the Cisadane area.

"But we can't do it alone. We need to work with other related parties to protect upstream areas of the Cisadane," he said.

West Java Governor Danny Setiawan has ordered the Bogor administration to take action to protect upstream areas of the Cisadane and Ciliwung rivers.

Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto has also unveiled plans to build percolation pits in the area to prevent flooding.

The Cisadane and Ciliwung rivers are among the largest of the 13 rivers that run through Jakarta.

However, the two rivers are so polluted that the water from them is unfit even for agricultural purposes.

Jakarta, has long experienced water shortages in the dry season and floods in the rainy period.