Raw Water in West Tarum Canal Heavily Polluted

KOMPAS/RYAN RINALDY

A riverbank resident is seen on Dec. 26, 2018 in a makeshift enclosure on the banks of the Kali Malang in West Cikarang district, Bekasi regency, West Java. These makeshift enclosures, which serve as bathing and toilet facilities, are commonly found along the banks of the river.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Amid the global competition, Jakarta is still grappling with basic issues. It is believed that the raw water supply for residents of the capital and parts of Bekasi is polluted.

The raw water for supplying drinking water to residents in Jakarta and parts of Bekasi is becoming increasingly polluted. The water pollution in the West Tarum Canal, or the Kali Malang (river), is far higher than the government’s maximum threshold.