The Water Crisis in Indonesia

By: Jonas Wahlstedt

March 22nd, 2024

Indonesia is an island nation located in Southeast Asia and is the fourth-largest country in the world in terms of population. The country has made strides to modernize and improve infrastructure in recent decades. However, approximately 192 million Indonesians are still unable to readily access clean and safe water. Nearly 15 million lack access to a sanitary toilet. 

Indonesian flag in front of the ocean.

Even in the country’s capital, Jakarta, water scarcity is a serious issue for millions of people. The island of Java, where Jakarta is located, has experienced longer dry seasons and more intense wet seasons in recent years due to climate change in the region. Climate change, paired with an explosion in the island's population, has created an unpleasant situation where natural green areas across the city have been dramatically reduced and floods have become more common. All 13 rivers located in the city are heavily polluted, mostly due to improper regulations and a lack of garbage disposal units. 

In 2017, nearly a third of Jakarta’s population depended on groundwater, which poses enormous health risks and is unreliable for long periods of time. Additionally, contamination from septic tanks has made the groundwater even more unsanitary. The situation in Java is expected to worsen by 2050; it is predicted that over 90% of Northern Jakarta will be completely submerged by water as the island slowly sinks each year. 

Due to a lack of widespread and reliable infrastructure, residents in Java have resorted to an informal practice of buying water from their neighbors. In the Penjaringan sub-district of Jakarta, a recent report found that over 88 percent of the poorest residents engage in this practice, compared to around 10 percent of wealthier households in the area. Water purchased in this way can be up to ten times more expensive than purchasing it through traditional means, putting an unnecessary financial burden on some of Indonesia’s poorest citizens. 

Unsanitary water dramatically increases the risk of diseases, including the spread of Dengue Fever. Poorer areas are particularly vulnerable, as they lack proper infrastructure and sewage systems. The lifespan and productivity of these people will be undoubtedly affected by these conditions, harming Indonesia’s growth and ability to make improvements in the near future. 

The economic decline in Indonesia is aggravated by water scarcity, as many industries such as construction require an enormous amount of relatively clean water. These industries employ hundreds of thousands of people, meaning that if they can not access usable water potentially millions of people will face unemployment or unstable work conditions. Furthermore, a lack of availability regarding water would have a harmful effect on the water-intensive agriculture and dairy industries that are found throughout the country and the island of Java. 

The government must prioritize creating a widespread sewage system for waste disposal and improve existing infrastructure while creating brand-new systems. Reducing or eliminating water stress throughout the country and city will help improve the economy and provide citizens with more resources. 

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Reference List:

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