The rate of land subsidence in Jakarta has reached 12 to 18 centimeters per year due to the overextraction of groundwater by Jakarta residents, he said.
"Jakarta and the central government cannot do anything and cannot forbid this unless they can supply clean (piped) water to Jakarta residents," he explained.
According to the minister, the government is striving to construct three drinking water provision systems (SPAM)—Jatiluhur I, Juanda, and Karian Serpong.
Jatiluhur I and Juanda are expected to provide 3,200 liters of drinking water per second, while Karian Serpong will supply 3,500 liters of water per second.
"If we can complete all of these and can supply the people of Jakarta, then in 2023, we can urge the people to stop using groundwater," he said.
It is only through this that Jakarta's land subsidence can be stopped, similar to what has been seen in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tokyo, Japan, he added.
Hadimuljono's ministry is currently constructing the Karian-Serpong Regional SPAM and Jatiluhur I Regional SPAM to increase the supply of fresh water in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Ir. H. Djuanda Regional SPAM will provide fresh water to Jakarta (3,500 liters/second), Bekasi District (2,000 liters/second), Bogor (2,000 liters/second), Bekasi City (1,000 liters/second) and Karawang (850 liters/second).
The regional SPAM will utilize the 10 thousand liters per second allocation of fresh water from the Jatiluhur Reservoir.
Earlier, the minister said that drinking water facilities and infrastructures are foundational structures that have a vital influence on health and the environment.
Moreover, the construction of the SPAM is expected to maintain optimism and ensure the sustainability of infrastructure development amid economic uncertainty on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related news: Cues taken from Tokyo to address land subsidence in Jakarta
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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