Preventing Water Pollution: Indonesia's Action Plan

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country and the fourth most populated nation, with 275 million people. It has struggled with water pollution for decades, with many of its citizens lacking access to safe water and sanitation. The majority of the population is exposed to water pollution, with up to three-quarters living in areas where water quality is not monitored. However, where water is tested, about 85% of the population are exposed to faecal coliform pollution in water sources, and more than half of Indonesia's rivers are heavily polluted. To prevent water pollution in Indonesia, the government has set national targets for universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2024, and organisations like UNICEF and Water.org are working to support these goals.

Improve access to safe drinking water

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with a population of 275 million people. However, many Indonesians struggle with poor health and inadequate infrastructure. For many families, water sources are distant, contaminated, or expensive, and household sanitation is unaffordable.

To improve access to safe drinking water in Indonesia, the following actions can be taken:

Implement Water Safety Plans (WSPs)

WSPs are a risk-based and multi-barrier approach to urban water quality management. They aim to optimize the drinking water operation process and improve drinking water quality. In 2017, WHO Indonesia, along with several ministries, audited the implementation of WSPs by two drinking water providers. The audit recommended enhancing the knowledge of drinking water providers on systematic risk-based methods to improve water quality and developing their skills to implement WSPs.

Strengthen Capacity for Water Quality Surveillance

Indonesia's surface water is managed in 128 river basins, and its groundwater is managed in 421 groundwater basins. However, water quality monitoring is lacking, with up to three-quarters of the population living in areas without it. Strengthening water quality surveillance can help identify and address sources of contamination, such as fecal coliform pollution, which is present in about 85% of water sources.

Improve Sanitation and Hygiene Practices

Unsafe sanitation practices, such as open defecation, contribute to water pollution and the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea. Building latrines and promoting safe fecal waste management and handwashing can help improve water quality and community health.

Develop Affordable Financing Options

Working with government-owned local water utilities and financial institutions to develop affordable financing options can improve access to safe drinking water for low-income households. This includes providing loans and helping utilities implement cost-effective solutions.

Address Regulatory Gaps

Indonesia faces legal and regulatory challenges regarding water and wastewater services. Developing a special law on water and wastewater services can provide clarity and help address water pollution. Additionally, addressing the regulatory void relating to groundwater planning, conservation, and damage control is crucial to protecting water resources.

Strengthen water quality surveillance

Strengthening water quality surveillance is key to preventing water pollution in Indonesia. The country's water safety is a significant public health concern, with seven out of ten households consuming drinking water contaminated with E. coli.

Indonesia's surface water is managed across 128 river basins, and its groundwater is managed in 421 basins. However, water quality monitoring is lacking, with up to three-quarters of the population living in areas where water quality is not monitored. This lack of monitoring has severe health implications, as contaminated water sources can cause acute illnesses such as diarrhoea and chronic diseases such as cancer, organ damage, and embryo defects.

To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) in strengthening drinking water quality surveillance. In 2020, WHO and MoH reviewed and updated sanitary inspections and drinking water quality surveillance technical guidelines. They also piloted a new tool to assess drinking water quality surveillance in three areas in the western part of Java Island: Bogor, South Jakarta, and the Thousand Islands. This tool helped evaluate surveillance programmes and ensure the safety of drinking water supplied to people within their areas of jurisdiction.

Additionally, WHO Indonesia, in collaboration with several ministries, audited the implementation of water safety plans (WSPs) by two drinking water providers. The audit recommended enhancing drinking water providers' knowledge and skills in systematic risk-based methods to improve water quality and implement WSPs effectively.

To further strengthen water quality surveillance, Indonesia can:

• Update drinking water parameters and sanitary inspection methods for rural and urban water suppliers.
• Utilize disease trends, such as diarrhoea, as indicators of progress in providing safe water and for identifying high-risk areas.
• Monitor corrective actions taken when contaminants or conditions that endanger public health are detected.
• Improve reporting and data availability to facilitate further analytical work on drinking water quality.
• Strengthen the capacity of surveillance officers in remote locations through online training programmes.

Develop a law on water and wastewater services

Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, with 275 million people. However, the country struggles with water pollution and sanitation issues. Water pollution in Indonesia has severe health implications, including acute illnesses like diarrhoea and chronic diseases such as cancer, organ damage, and degenerative conditions. It is estimated that about 85% of the population is exposed to faecal coliform pollution in water sources, and more than half of the country's rivers are heavily polluted.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive and effective law on water and wastewater services should be developed. This law should aim to provide legal and regulatory clarity and address the gaps in the current legislative framework. Here are some key considerations for developing such a law:

Decentralization and Community Engagement:

Indonesia has taken steps towards decentralization, with the Local Government Law of 1999 transferring responsibility for water supply to local governments. The law on water and wastewater services should build on this by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of national, provincial, and local governments in water resource management. It should empower local communities and engage them in decision-making processes. This includes involving communities in the design, implementation, and monitoring of water and sanitation projects, ensuring that solutions are culturally appropriate and responsive to local needs.

Protection of Water Sources and Pollution Control:

The law should establish strict regulations to protect water sources from contamination. This includes setting standards for wastewater treatment and enforcement through regular monitoring and inspections. It should also address the issue of groundwater planning, conservation, and damage control, filling the legal void left by the voiding of Government Regulation No. 43/2008 on Groundwater. Additionally, the law should promote sustainable practices to reduce water pollution, such as proper waste management and the phasing out of open defecation.

Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Access:

Universal access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation is a fundamental goal. The law should outline measures to increase access, especially for marginalized and low-income communities. This may include providing financial assistance, such as loans or subsidies, to ensure that all households can afford safe water and sanitation solutions. It should also address the issue of untreated wastewater, with specific regulations for its safe collection, treatment, and disposal, ensuring that it does not contaminate water sources.

Capacity Building and Infrastructure Development:

The law should emphasize the development of water and wastewater infrastructure, including the expansion of sewerage networks and community-based decentralized wastewater management systems. It should allocate resources for capacity-building initiatives, such as training and technology transfer, to ensure that local governments and utilities have the skills and tools necessary to effectively manage water and wastewater services. Additionally, the law should promote public-private partnerships to leverage private sector expertise and investment in water infrastructure development.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Enforcement:

A robust monitoring and evaluation framework should be established to assess the implementation of the law and the quality of water and wastewater services. This includes regular water quality testing, performance evaluations of service providers, and community feedback mechanisms. Strong enforcement measures should be in place to ensure compliance with the law, including penalties for non-compliance and incentives for best practices.

Improve sanitation and hygiene practices

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with a population of 275 million people. Unfortunately, about 192 million Indonesians lack access to safe water, and 14 million lack access to safe toilets. This has resulted in 25 million people practising open defecation, which has contaminated water sources and facilitated the spread of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera.

To improve sanitation and hygiene practices in Indonesia, the following steps can be taken:

Increase access to safe water and sanitation:

This can be achieved through the provision of loans and market-based approaches to help families afford safe water and sanitation solutions. This includes working with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make safe water and sanitation more accessible and affordable for low-income households.

Promote behaviour change:

UNICEF Indonesia motivates social behaviour change through high-level advocacy, engagement in partnerships, peer-to-peer learning, and social mobilization in marginalized communities where open defecation is widespread.

Develop and implement school sanitation plans:

UNICEF helps improve the capacity of teachers, parents, and local village administrations to develop and implement school sanitation plans. These plans aim to promote hygiene practices and educate students and the community about the importance of sanitation and hygiene in preventing water pollution.

Strengthen hygiene behaviour:

In addition to promoting handwashing and menstrual hygiene, it is essential to educate the community about safe sanitation practices. This includes the proper disposal of waste, the treatment of wastewater, and the importance of maintaining hygiene standards to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Advocate for political will and align policies with ground realities:

At the national level, it is crucial to emphasize high-level advocacy and political will to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes aligning WASH policies and programs with reliable and up-to-date information and data, as well as ensuring that decision-makers understand the importance of safe sanitation and hygiene practices in preventing water pollution.

Reduce anthropogenic pollutants

Indonesia's water pollution crisis is a significant public health concern. The majority of the population is exposed to contaminated water, with up to three-quarters living in areas where water quality is not monitored. As a result, about 85% of the population are exposed to fecal coliform pollution in water sources, leading to acute illnesses such as diarrhea and chronic diseases such as cancer and other degenerative illnesses.

To reduce anthropogenic pollutants, the following measures can be implemented:

Improve wastewater management:

Indonesia's government should prioritize improving wastewater management practices. Currently, only about 7% of municipal wastewater is safely collected and treated, with the remaining 92.6% discharged untreated into water bodies. By investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure and promoting the use of septic tanks and desludging services, the government can significantly reduce the amount of untreated wastewater contaminating water sources.

Address septic tank leakage:

Septic tank leakage is a significant contributor to groundwater pollution in Indonesia. The government and communities should work together to address this issue by promoting regular maintenance and proper waste disposal methods. Campaigns, such as UNICEF's #DihantuiTai, can help raise awareness about the importance of safe sanitation practices and the risks associated with septic tank leakage.

Enhance water quality monitoring and regulation:

Indonesia should develop comprehensive water quality monitoring programs and strengthen the implementation of existing regulations, such as the Government Regulation No. 82/2001 on Management of Water Quality and Control over Water Pollution. Regular monitoring can help identify sources of pollution and implement preventive measures. Additionally, developing a special law on water and wastewater services can provide legal and regulatory clarity to address water pollution challenges effectively.

Promote safe sanitation practices:

Safe sanitation practices, such as the use of toilets and latrines, are crucial in reducing water pollution. Indonesia should continue its efforts to improve access to basic sanitation and raise awareness about the importance of safe sanitation practices. Building political will and creating a national social norm in support of safe sanitation can help drive behavioral changes and reduce open defecation practices, which pose risks to community health.

Educate communities about health and hygiene:

Education plays a vital role in reducing anthropogenic pollutants. By teaching communities about the importance of handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, and safe water storage practices, the spread of waterborne diseases can be reduced. Primary schools and local communities can be key partners in promoting hygiene behaviors and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and the environment.

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