Greta Jimenez
Indonesia is facing a water crisis, with the majority of its population exposed to water pollution. The capital, Jakarta, is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world, and its residents struggle with water scarcity and poor sanitation. The city's main rivers, including the Ciliwung, Citarum, and Cidurian, are heavily polluted with agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and solid waste. Indonesia's plastic waste problem is also significant, with its rivers, oceans, and landfills clogged with non-biodegradable materials, leading to environmental and health hazards. The country's rapid economic expansion has not been matched by improvements in basic sanitation services, and water pollution poses a serious threat to public health, with potential impacts on Indonesia's society, environment, and economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 275 million |
| Ranking | 4th most populous country in the world |
| Capital | Jakarta |
| Economy | Southeast Asia's largest |
| Water sources | Distant, contaminated, or expensive for many families |
| Sanitation | Unaffordable for many families |
| Access to safe water | 12% of the population |
| Access to safe toilets | 14 million people lack access |
| National targets | Universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2024 |
| Main sources of water pollution | Untreated municipal wastewater, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and mismanaged solid waste |
| Rivers | Brantas, Ciliwung, Citarum, and Progo rank among the 20 most polluted rivers in the world |
| Landfills | Burangkeng, Bantar Gebang |
| Plastic waste | 600,000 tonnes dumped into the ocean annually |
| Groundwater | Prone to contamination from septic tanks, waste disposal sites, livestock manure, irrigation canals, and rivers |
| Sewer system | Only around 2% of the population is connected |
| Child stunting | 35% of children under 5 |
| Child mortality rate | 3.5 times higher than other southeast Asian middle-income countries |
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What You'll Learn
Jakarta's water scarcity and pollution
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital and an international hub, is home to more than 10 million people. The city has been facing water scarcity and pollution issues, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's economic crisis.
Water Scarcity in Jakarta
The island of Java, where Jakarta is located, has experienced longer dry seasons and wetter wet seasons due to climate change. Unregulated urban growth has reduced the city's green areas, leaving little space for water to percolate into the ground. In addition, the lack of harvesting infrastructure causes all excess water to run off, often resulting in floods. As a result, about 30% of Jakarta's population was dependent on groundwater in 2017, which has become increasingly contaminated by septic tanks and faecal matter.
The water scarcity issue disproportionately affects the city's poor, impacting their health and economic security. Many residents in informal settlements struggle with water sources that are distant, contaminated, or expensive, and household sanitation is often unaffordable. To access clean water, poorer communities have to buy it from kiosks and shops, while those in wealthy residential areas have piped water connections.
Water Pollution in Jakarta
Jakarta's 13 rivers, including the Ciliwung, the city's largest, are heavily polluted. The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) reported that 96% of the river water in the city is severely polluted, with high levels of biochemical oxygen demand, phosphorous, and nitrogen. The rivers receive an estimated 2.5 million cubic meters of wastewater per day, with about 70% coming from households and the rest from commercial and industrial activities.
The pollution has degraded the Jakarta Bay ecosystem, affecting fishing activities. In addition, poor supervision and law enforcement have allowed companies to dump untreated wastewater into the rivers, further contributing to the pollution. Plastic waste is also a significant issue, with Indonesia ranked as the second-largest contributor to plastic waste globally in 2019. The country's plastic packaging problem clogs streams, harms wildlife, litters beaches, and accumulates in landfills, eventually contaminating groundwater and reaching rivers and lakes.
Addressing Water Scarcity and Pollution
Jakarta has set national targets for universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2024, recognizing the growing need for financing household water and sanitation solutions. The development of the Jakarta Sewerage System (JSS) is expected to reduce river pollution, provide clean water, and decrease groundwater pumping. Additionally, rigorous assessment of urban water quality and sustainable water management practices are crucial to addressing the water scarcity and pollution challenges faced by Jakarta.
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Plastic waste in rivers
Indonesia is facing a severe plastic waste crisis that extends beyond its oceans and into its rivers. The country is the second-largest contributor to global marine plastic pollution, with an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 tons of plastic waste ending up in the ocean each year. This crisis has severe consequences for Indonesia's rivers, with four of them—Brantas, Ciliwung, Citarum, and Progo—ranked among the 20 most polluted rivers in the world.
The Citarum River, which skirts the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, is known as the most polluted river on Earth. Jakarta itself is crisscrossed by 13 rivers, and plastic waste accounts for a significant portion of the pollution in these waterways. Between December 2019 and January 2020, plastic waste accounted for 74% to 87% of the total human-generated waste found in five rivers and three holding facilities in the city. The prevalence of plastic waste in Jakarta's rivers is due in part to the city's waste management system, which struggles to handle the large amount of plastic waste produced by its population of over 10 million people.
The plastic waste crisis in Indonesia's rivers is not limited to Jakarta. The Ciliwung River, for example, flows through eight cities and regencies in West Java and Jakarta, covering a distance of approximately 120 kilometers. Environmental activist Suparno Jumar works to clean the Ciliwung River and educate residents along the riverbanks about the importance of not disposing of garbage in the river. Despite these efforts, the river remains heavily polluted, with much of the waste consisting of land waste that enters through tributaries and ditches.
Indonesia's plastic waste crisis is driven by several factors. The country generates approximately 6.8 million to 7.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, with rural areas contributing the largest amounts of mismanaged plastic waste due to limited waste collection rates. Additionally, the widespread use of plastic bags and the prevalence of plastic products in everyday life contribute to the problem. The country's landfills, such as the Bantar Gebang landfill in Jakarta, are also a significant source of plastic pollution. These landfills are hazardous to the environment, releasing harmful chemicals into the groundwater that eventually reaches rivers and lakes.
To address the plastic waste crisis in its rivers, Indonesia has set an ambitious goal of reducing plastic waste by 70% by 2025. The government has committed to allocating USD 1 billion annually to this initiative. However, the effectiveness of the measures taken so far has been limited in comparison to efforts made by other countries. To successfully tackle the crisis, Indonesia needs to implement comprehensive waste management systems, improve waste collection rates in rural areas, promote circular economy principles, and increase community education and awareness about the environmental impacts of plastic waste.
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Groundwater contamination
Indonesia is facing a water crisis, with 192 million Indonesians lacking access to safe water. The main sources of water pollution in Indonesia include untreated municipal wastewater, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and mismanaged solid waste. The country's plastic waste problem is a significant contributor to water pollution, with Indonesia ranked as the second-largest contributor to plastic waste globally in 2019. This has led to the clogging of streams and rivers, harming wildlife and polluting beaches.
The detection of E. coli in 66% of water sources, including boreholes, protected and unprotected dug wells, is concerning. However, the widespread practice of boiling water before use has helped improve microbial quality. Despite this, E. coli was still found in 30% of self-supply samples at the point of use. The risk of fecal contamination can be mitigated by assisting households in investing in better protection methods and promoting safe household water treatment practices.
Indonesia's vulnerability to climate change impacts further exacerbates water contamination issues. The country's average rate of non-revenue water (NRW) is 32%, higher than the global average of 20%. This refers to water lost before reaching consumers due to leaks, highlighting the need for improved water distribution systems. Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical and personal care products, pesticides, and hormones, are also becoming significant water pollutants, impacting food production and public health.
To address water pollution and groundwater contamination in Indonesian cities, the government has set ambitious goals. They aim to reduce plastic waste by 70% by 2025 and have committed significant funding to this initiative. Additionally, there is a growing urgency to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2024, with both public and private sectors recognizing the need for financing solutions for households.
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Industrial and urban waste
Indonesia is facing a severe water crisis, with about 192 million Indonesians lacking access to safe water. The main sources of water pollution in the country include untreated municipal wastewater, industrial discharges, and mismanaged solid waste.
Indonesia's rivers are bearing the brunt of industrial and urban waste. Four of Indonesia's rivers—Brantas, Ciliwung, Citarum, and Progo—are among the world's 20 most polluted rivers. The Ciliwung River, which meanders through eight cities and regencies in West Java and Jakarta, is clogged with trash under the surface of the water, stuck in the rocks. The garbage is thrown into the river by residents, first in calm streams, and then carried away during strong currents. The Citarum River is also heavily polluted, with the majority of plastic waste being non-recyclable and non-biodegradable, eventually making its way into landfills. These landfills are hazardous to the environment as they release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere and contaminate groundwater, which then seeps into rivers and lakes.
The country's plastic packaging problem is causing harm to wildlife, with birds and turtles ingesting non-biodegradable materials, and beaches littered with waste. Indonesia ranked second globally as a major contributor to plastic waste in 2019, with an estimated 600,000 tonnes of plastic dumped into the ocean each year.
In addition to plastic waste, medical waste, including syringes, hazardous materials, and masks, is scattered across Indonesia's landfills, such as Burangkeng in the city of Bekasi, West Java. The capital city of Jakarta is also facing issues with waste management, with the Bantar Gebang landfill receiving more than 5,000 tonnes of solid waste each day.
The Indonesian government has set ambitious goals to reduce plastic waste by 70% by 2025 and has committed to allocating USD 1 billion annually to this initiative. However, efforts to combat plastic usage and production have been relatively toothless compared to measures implemented elsewhere in the world.
The water pollution caused by industrial and urban waste has detrimental effects on the environment and public health. Untreated domestic wastewater, containing pathogenic bacteria, is a significant source of surface water pollution in Indonesia, with only 1% of domestic wastewater safely collected and treated in urban areas, and none in rural communities. This has led to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and contributed to Indonesia's severe child stunting problem, with a quarter of all children under five suffering from diarrhoea, the leading cause of child mortality in the country.
The over-abstraction of groundwater is also causing land subsidence, especially in urban centers like Jakarta, which is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. Rising sea levels and continued subsidence threaten to cause flooding in low-lying areas, with half of Jakarta currently below sea level.
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Poor sanitation
Indonesia is facing a severe sanitation crisis. The country's rapid economic growth and rising affluence have not been able to mask the inadequacies of its sanitation infrastructure. While Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with a population of 275 million people, it is estimated that about 192 million Indonesians lack access to safe water and 14 million lack access to safe toilets.
The capital, Jakarta, is a prime example of the dichotomy between development and inadequate infrastructure. Jakarta is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world, sinking at an average of 1 to 15 cm per year, and half of the city is currently below sea level. The city's poor, especially those living in informal settlements, struggle with poor health and inadequate infrastructure. The majority of the city's water sources are distant, contaminated, or expensive, and household sanitation is unaffordable. Pollution is found in 96% of the city's water, and the Ciliwung River, which flows through Jakarta, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
The issue of poor sanitation in Indonesia is not limited to Jakarta. The country's rivers are heavily polluted, with four of them—Brantas, Ciliwung, Citarum, and Progo—ranking among the 20 most polluted rivers globally. The Citarum River, which provides agriculture, water, and electricity to around 35 million people in the Bandung metropolitan area and the greater Jakarta region, has seen a dramatic decline in water quality over the past two decades due to severe pollution from lead, aluminum, manganese, and iron.
The main sources of water pollution in Indonesia include untreated municipal wastewater, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and mismanaged solid waste. The country's plastic waste problem is also a significant contributor to water pollution, with Indonesia ranked second globally as a major contributor to plastic waste in 2019. The plastic waste clogs streams, harms wildlife, litters beaches, and accumulates in landfills, eventually finding its way into the ocean.
The Indonesian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has set national targets for universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2024. Organizations like UNICEF and USAID are also supporting the government's efforts by providing access to safely managed water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as improving health literacy and promoting behaviour change. Despite these efforts, Indonesia's sanitation challenges persist, and the country continues to struggle with providing safe and affordable sanitation to its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, has a significant water pollution problem. The city's main rivers, including Ciliwung, Citarum, Cidurian, Cisadane, and Bekasi, are heavily polluted by agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and solid waste. Jakarta is also facing issues with water scarcity and sinking land.
The main sources of water pollution in Indonesian cities include untreated municipal wastewater, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and mismanaged solid waste. Deforestation, palm oil expansion, and household waste also contribute to water pollution.
Water pollution has severe health consequences for Indonesians. It can cause acute illnesses such as diarrhea and chronic diseases such as cancer, organ damage, and embryo defects. Indonesia's high rate of child stunting and child mortality is linked to water pollution and poor sanitation.
