Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing stated that the regions' good water management to qualify for the Rp10 billion incentive is determined by several indicators, including tap water services and water leakage rates.

"One of the indicators of (good water management) is the percentage of services provided by PDAMs (regional tap water companies) to the community," said Endra S. Atmawidjaja, the minister's expert staff member for technology, industry, and environment.

He made the statement at a press conference on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali on Thursday.

Atmawidjaja remarked that another indicator is the water leakage rate. If regional governments are able to reduce the water leakage rate in their respective regions, then the government will provide the incentive.

Having clear programs is necessary for regional governments to reduce the leakage rate in their regions, he added.

He also stressed the importance of protecting water sources.

"I think if we can protect them, then that will also reduce costs a lot," he noted.

Atmawidjaja also stressed that regional governments should be able to protect rivers that are the sources of water because if they are polluted, then the costs will be higher.

Earlier, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian proposed the provision of the Rp10 billion (around US$622,246) incentive for regional governments that are considered successful in managing water, including access to clean water.

"Whether the total is 100 regions or only 10 regions, it will be discussed by the technical ministries," he stated on the sidelines of the global water forum on Wednesday.

The indicators for successful water management are equal access to clean water and drinking water, good management from business entities that manage water in the region, and agricultural irrigation, he said.

Karnavian explained that if approved by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the criteria would be formulated in more detail by the two ministries.

Related news: Indonesia, Suriname partner to protect coasts, rehabilitate mangroves
Related news: Indonesia pushes water equity for islands at Bali's global forum

Translator: Putu Indah, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2024