Water Shortage: Sleman, Yogyakarta, Central Java

By Barrie | May 8th, 2007 | No Comments

A landslide has left villagers living on the slopes of Mount Merapi and customers of Sleman PDAM state-owned tap water company unable to obtain clean water for the past two days.

A major pipe running along Kuning River in Pangukrejo hamlet, Cangkringan, Sleman, seven kilometers from the peak of Mount Merapi, broke after earth and volcanic material collapsed from a 40-meter high and 20-meter wide cliff, near Umbul Wadon spring. The landslide occurred Sunday after two days of heavy rain.

The spring is the main water source for 2,500 Cangkringan residents, PDAM customers and around 400 families living in West Kaliurang, Pakem, Sleman, Yogyakarta.

“Around 8,000 PDAM customers have been affected by the broken pipe,” said Sleman PDAM technical director, Ahadi, on Monday.

He said the spring supplies 40 percent of its source to PDAM, at an average rate of 400 liters per second. To alleviate the problem, PDAM is using tankers to supply residents with water from its reserve wells.

“Although supply has been interrupted, we will use alternative sources, such as from our reserve wells to meet customer needs,” said Ahadi. He said that it was still unclear when the problem will be fixed.

“We are unable to estimate the extent of damage caused by the incident,” he said.

Around 2,500 residents in seven hamlets in Umbulharjo village, Cangkringan, are also facing water shortages due to damage to the pipes that channel water from Umbul Wadon spring.

A state employee from Umbulharjo village, Wagimin, said the seven hamlets facing water shortages are Gondang, Pentingsari, Gambrekan, Balong, Karanggeneng, Plosorejo and Plosokerep.

“While waiting for repairs, residents are getting water from PDAM’s Tirtamarta well, owned by Yogyakarta municipality,” Wagimin said.

“Residents are forced to go by foot to obtain water from other sources,” said local resident, Sukamto.

Slamet Susanto