IDEA carried out network coordination with journalists and civil society organizations as well as customer organizations of the Bantul Regency Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM), Saturday (11/01).
This coordination was carried out to explore data and information on transparency and community participation in clean water management in Bantul Regency, as well as to absorb input for the preparation of a policy paper on accountable clean water management in Bantul Regency.
The network coordination activity is part of the program activities 'Realizing Transparent, Accountable and Participatory Clean Water Governance in Bantul Regency' implemented by IDEA with the Bantul Regency Government.
Meigita, the project officer of this program said that the quality of clean water in Bantul district has decreased from year to year and is categorized as bad. Almost 70% of water quality is categorized as not meeting the requirements. This is based on the results of a study by the Bantul District Health Office.
"The water in Bantul Regency is contaminated with E-Coli bacteria and contains minerals such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn)," said Meigita.
The results of the discussion of the community group and journalists in this coordination also stated that the water conditions in Bantul Regency experienced a decrease in discharge, while the need was increasing. In addition, the quality of water in Bantul Regency is decreasing, as evidenced by the occurrence of waste pollution, households, home industries, and factories, as well as the high chlorine content in PDAM water.
Efforts to fulfill clean water needs in Bantul, said Meigita, can be seen from the aspect of its management. By looking at these problems, proper management is needed to overcome clean water problems.
"In Bantul, the clean water supply system for residents is carried out through the Non-Piped Network (BJP) and Piped Network (JP) systems. Residents' access to clean water with a non-piped system is carried out through SIPAS, dug wells or drilled wells, PAH and springs. Meanwhile, the piped network is managed by the Community, SPAMDes and PDAM," he said.
Based on data in the Bantul Regency Clean Water Provision Synergy document for 2019-2023 which has been ratified through Regent Regulation No. 79 of 2018, it is stated that in 2017, the population of Bantul who were served by clean water coverage only reached 86.64%. Of that percentage, the largest percentage was through Non-Piped Networks (BJP), which was 81.55%. Meanwhile, the clean water service for Piped Networks (JP) was only 14.55% with a total of 41,892 House Connections consisting of PDAM and Non-PDAM Piped Networks or Village Clean Water Management Systems. From these data, it can be concluded that the Bantul Regional Government still has homework to do in meeting 100% clean water coverage for residents in Bantul.
At the Regency level, the provision of clean water services is carried out by PDAM as one of the Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) of Bantul Regency. In its implementation, PDAM Bantul receives capital participation from the Bantul Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) every year. The capital participation is provided through the Public Housing and Public Housing Service in the form of procurement of its pipe network.
Meanwhile, regarding Governance, participants in this coordination highlighted two water service providers, namely Pamsimas and PDAM. Water governance by Pamsimas was considered by coordination participants to be more participatory, transparent, accountable, and effective. This is because Pamsimas governance was initiated by residents and intended for residents, so the price is cheaper.
Meanwhile, water management by PDAM is carried out with a business mechanism, so that complaints submitted by residents, as users of PDAM services, often have no concrete follow-up to resolve them. Expensive prices and lack of transparency are also factors complained about by Bantul residents who use PDAM services.
This coordination forum also discussed recommendations that could be included in the policy paper to be prepared. Some of the recommendations include Pamsimas and PDAM Bantul Regency, as clean water service providers, must provide quality water for residents. In addition, both clean water providers must carry out environmental conservation, so that the environment and water availability in the Bantul Regency area are maintained.
Then another recommendation is that the government must start regulating spatial planning policies that pay attention tosustainability, including providing law enforcement against parties that pollute the environment, and be more assertive and routine inmonitoringevery industry, both large industries and household industries, as well as other actors that produce waste.
Another important recommendation is related to the mechanism for submitting complaints to clean water service providers, especially PDAM. As a regional company that also receives regional budget, PDAM must facilitate access and service for citizen complaints. More importantly, PDAM must also start opening up to involving citizens in planning and evaluating water management.
Contributors: AH & AS
Editor: AH
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