Minister Jonan Urges DKI Residents Aware of Groundwater Issue

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 615.Pers/04/SJI/2019

Dated: 15th October 2019

Minister Jonan Urges DKI Residents Aware of Groundwater Issue

The overexploitation of groundwater in Jakarta has led to declining water table that contributes to land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, with the northern parts of Jakarta being the most severely impacted area. Groundwater should be used more carefully and wisely, without damaging the environment so that no negative impacts are inflicted on the communities especially those living at coastal area. According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, the groundwater issue in Jakarta is a common problem that must be faced by all people concerned, not only the government; thus, everyone must show their share of concern about this issue.

"I think this issue of groundwater in Jakarta is a common problem, because Jakarta belongs to this nation and to all of us. So please, don't use the groundwater without heeding the ecology, and without calculating the environmental impacts that may be created on people who live at coastal area. These people are the most heavily impacted," said Jonan at the "Save Jakarta Groundwater" event, Tuesday (15/10).

Jonan added that the communities living at coastal area did not take the groundwater but they were impacted the most because the overexploitation of groundwater had led to saltwater intrusion.

"They don't take the groundwater, but they receive the impacts because saltwater intrusion have made them unable to take groundwater. I request, and I believe that the current Governor of Jakarta is deeply concerned about the environment, about ecology. This Ministry and I personally have huge concern about groundwater," Jonan added.

Head of the Geological Agency, Rudy Suhendar, said that the water table decline occurred mostly in northern parts of Jakarta, that the current sea level in North Jakarta is 1.5 meters above the water table.

"The need for clean water by Jakarta residents, including hotels and other public facility, is still dominated by groundwater by up to 60%, while the remaining volume is obtained from the city's water company (PDAM)," Rudy said.

The overexploitation of Jakarta groundwater has made the water table decline, and later caused land subsidence and saltwater intrusion in northern Jakarta. The lowest water table recorded was in 2013, in Jakarta Groundwater Basin area of -40 meters below sea level compared to its previous position. In 2018, the condition had improved, with the lowest water table recorded at -35 meters below sea level in north Jakarta area.

The Ministry of EMR jointly with the Provincial Government of Jakarta have curbed groundwater extraction and sentenced groundwater users who violated the rules. These measures have shown positive results, for example by increased water table as shown in several areas in North Jakarta Groundwater Basin. (SF)

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