For more than a month, dozens of households in West Jakarta have been without reliable access to piped water. The outage is due to a blockage in the water grid managed by PAM Jaya, and highlights vulnerabilities in the capital’s aging infrastructure.
Water Supply Disrupted
Sandi, a 39-year-old resident of Jembatan Besi subdistrict in Tambora, has been forced to use rainwater for flushing toilets and ration bottled drinking water. He first noticed issues with the water supply in late January, when the water pressure decreased, the water smelled foul, and eventually stopped flowing altogether.
“My house actually has a well, but the water is too salty,” Sandi said on Thursday. He added that he has contacted PAM Jaya multiple times, but a solution has not yet been found.
PAM Jaya has confirmed the outage in the densely populated neighborhood is a result of construction on a nearby overpass. The company stated This proves working to expedite repairs to the affected infrastructure.
A related report indicates Jakarta has recently tightened rules regarding groundwater usage to curb land subsidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the water outage?
The water outage was caused by a blockage in the water grid due to construction on a nearby overpass.
Who is affected by the water outage?
Dozens of households in the Jembatan Besi subdistrict of West Jakarta are affected.
What is PAM Jaya doing to address the issue?
PAM Jaya has confirmed the outage and stated it is working to accelerate repairs to the affected infrastructure.
As repairs continue, residents may need to rely on alternative water sources. It remains to be seen how long it will take to fully restore reliable water access to the affected neighborhood.
