Jakarta Commits to Achieving 100% Clean Water Coverage

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung reaffirmed the Jakarta Provincial Government's commitment to achieving 100% access to clean water by the end of 2029.

"...must continue to improve its clean water coverage,"

He made the statement while delivering a keynote speech at the National Seminar themed "Water Governance Towards Global Cities" at Borobudur Hotel, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (9/30).

In his remarks, Pramono shared that the Jakarta Provincial Government refers to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 6 and No. 11 as the foundation for developing and providing access to clean water in the city. 

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"Jakarta as an inclusive and sustainable city, must continue to improve its clean water coverage," he stated.

He noted that the current clean water service coverage in Jakarta has reached 74.24%, which marks an increase of around 4% since he took office as Governor.

Pramono has set a target for clean water coverage to reach 85% by 2026 and 100% by the end of 2029. However, one of the main challenges in achieving this goal is the high rate of water loss, or non-revenue water (NRW), which currently stands at around 45.88%. 

In contrast, in developed countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, the NRW levels are typically in the low double digits. Pramono aims to reduce Jakarta's NRW to between 20-25%.

To accelerate this, the Jakarta Provincial Government, in collaboration with PAM Jaya, is pushing forward several strategic projects, including Karian-Serpong Water Supply System (SPAM), which is expected to expand service coverage by about 10% or approximately 212,000 new customers.

Next, SPAM Jatiluhur I that will expand coverage by around 13%, equal to about 300,000 new household connections and SPAM Buaran III which is projected to increase service coverage by 8.8%, or about 250,000 new household connections.

Pramono also urged the conversion of PAM Jaya's status from Perumda to Perseroda to give the company more flexibility in forging multisectoral collaborations and enhancing public accountability. 

He emphasized that this change in status is not intended for the liberalization of the company.

"Therefore, I believe that being overseen by many people, many parties, will surely be more effective than a purely top-down oversight," he mentioned.

Furthermore, Pramono wants PAM Jaya to go public through an Initial Public Offering (IP) so its performance can be easily monitored by the public and its governance improved. He also called on all parties to oversee the restructuring of PAM Jaya.

"Hopefully, PAM Jaya will truly become a highly professional Perseroda, capable of anticipating public developments," he expressed.

Regarding wastewater services in Jakarta, currently only about 21.18% is managed properly. In his view, this remains a serious issue that needs to be addressed well.

Pramono also raised the issue of declining groundwater levels in Jakarta, which is a concern of the provincial government. To mitigate this, the city regulated groundwater use through Governor Regulation (Pergub) No. 93/2021 on Groundwater-free Zones.

This regulation prohibits the use of groundwater for daily needs in strategic areas, such as SCBD, Sudirman, Mega Kuningan, Pulogadung Industrial Area, and 12 major roads.