"Quantitatively, there is still enough water but qualitatively the earth`s water sources are declining," Hatta said in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, at a function to mark Global Water Day on March 22.
Hatta said the ever declining availability of clean water was caused by the destruction of the environment for water sources so that the quality of the water and bodies of water are affected.
He therefore called on industries and households to refrain from discharging their wastes directly into the bodies of water so as to avoid the declining quality of the water.
Hatta also called on all parties not to destroy the environment and save on the use of clean water.
"The decline of water sources should make every one of us to save on the use of water. If we can use only a bucket of water for taking a bath, then don`t be wasteful by using two or three buckets," he said.
Global water day was observed in many cities in Indonesia with some communities and NGOs congregating on the HI Roundabout at downtown Jakarta to stage protests. In Purwokerto, Central Java, students incorporating in the Banyumas Solidarity Action for Clean Water movement came down into Banjar river at the city to clean up the river.
The students took the opportunity for airing the concerns and asking people not to throw rubbish into the body of water as this act would not only cause pollution but floods as well.
(KR-VFT/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
