Public Works Minister: Government Must Stop Using Groundwater

Public Works and Housing Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono stated the ground surface in Jakarta is experiencing degradation about 10-12 cm every year. Even, he predicts there would be no more water flowing in river for next 15 years. 

To anticipate ground degradation, the government buildings must stop the groundwater extraction

According to Hadimuljono, the solution to anticipate ground degradation is by stopping deep groundwater extraction. While for the shallow groundwater is not too influential for soil degradation, thus it is no need to be banned.

"To anticipate ground degradation, the government buildings must stop the groundwater extraction," he said while closing the Roundtable Meeting on Land Subsidence held in City Hall's Pattern Room, Tuesday (5/26) afternoon. "Bylaw was also ready to organize groundwater extraction by government buildings," he continued. 

Farms in Rorotan Lack of Water Supply

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' T Purnama disclosed his party will conduct reclamation to decrease the effect of ground degradation.

"Jakarta Provincial Government is also working hard to think about water management. We agreed to make a great investment in water management," he uttered.

Such discussion was attended by foreign experts. They are United States, Thailand, Holland, and Italy. While from Indonesia, the experts are Prof. Widjojo Prakoso from Indonesia of University, Abdurrachman Assegaf from Trisakti of University, Prof. Hasanuddin Z Abidin, Lambok Hutasoit, and Masyhur Irsyam from Bandung Institute of Technology, and Muhammad Warid from  Geological Agency.