After a river clean-up activity here on Friday, Minister Nurofiq pointed out that most of the pollutants in Cipinang River comprise domestic or household waste disposed of by local residents.
"We have to prepare a mandatory communal WWTP for households, and we will check the outlets of all big businesses here," he added.
Meanwhile, to ensure industry compliance, investigators and law enforcement officers from the Ministry of Environment will start conducting in-depth investigations soon.
Nurofiq is also planning to reactivate the ministry's laboratory to conduct research on environmental quality standards and find the sources of pollutants.
"We are preparing this in two months, and God Willing, we will certainly start handling the sources of pollutants in January," he affirmed.
Furthermore, he warned business and industrial actors that the law will be enforced against non-compliant actors or those found polluting rivers, including in Jakarta.
The law enforcement steps will include fines based on the existing laws and regulations.
According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), the national water quality index (IKA) in 2023 was recorded at 54.59 points, up from 53.88 points in 2022.
Meanwhile, the IKA of Jakarta dropped from 41.17 in 2022 to 40.76 in 2023.
Earlier, the KLHK urged local governments to improve water quality by using the Regional Performance Response Index (IRKD) to assess their performance in improving water quality.
Related news: Indonesia, UAE team up to combat river plastic pollution
Related news: Jakarta to inventory sources of pollution in Kalibaru River
Related news: 59% of Indonesian rivers heavily polluted: Environment Ministry
Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
