After the review, Hadimuljono explained that the project aims to treat wastewater from households, restaurants, and other establishments.
The treatment plant, which has a capacity of serving 100 thousand piped connections, will process wastewater into clean water.
"The wastewater processed at the WWTP has a pH value of 6.9, and it is cleaner than river water anywhere," the minister said.
He informed that the WWTP project, which has been developed at a cost of Rp1.6 trillion (around US$105.6 million), is a collaboration between the governments of Indonesia and Australia.
Indonesia allocated Rp1.16 trillion (US$76.5 million) from the central, provincial, and city government budgets for the project, while Australia granted Rp450 billion (US$29.7 million), including Rp230 billion (US$15.1 million) for technical support.
According to Hadimuljono, the WWTP in Palembang city can help improve and preserve the environment by providing clean water and hygienic sanitation.
"Therefore, the installation of WWTP pipe connections must be educated in the community, because this aims to create proper sanitation and provide clean water supply, which leads to stunting handling," he explained.
Similar projects are also being developed in other cities, namely Makassar, Pekanbaru, and Jakarta, he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Williams said the Australian government is committed to supporting Palembang city's efforts toward developing clean sanitation, such as the WWTP project.
Australia determined Palembang as one of the priority cities for investment in infrastructure on account of the city's strong political will and commitment, she informed.
According to her, the completed WWTP project in Palembang, which started in 2020, is a concrete collaboration between Australia and Indonesia.
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Translator: Ahmad B, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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