Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has affirmed that the integration of drinking water and domestic wastewater management systems can help create more effective and efficient services for people.”Integrating drinking water and domestic wastewater management systems can improve effectiveness and efficiency in terms of construction and land (usage),” Director General of Human settlements at the MinistryDiana Kusumastutisaid at the 2023 Indonesia Water and Wastewater Expo and Forum (IWWEF) here on Tuesday. She also highlighted the need to combine the bills for drinking water and wastewater management since doing so would improve people’s willingness to pay. “If it can be integrated, between drinking water and wastewater (management), it will make (paying) easier, since the water bill is just one,” Kusumastuti said. Currently, the progress in the provision of decent access to drinking water has reached 92.96 percent of the targeted 100 percent by 2024, she informed. The progress in the provision of access to domestic wastewater management has reached 79.06 percent of the total 90 percent targeted by 2024, she added. To further push the progress, the ministry has established Integrated Water Resources Management in residential areas, which aims to combine drinking water and domestic wastewater management under one system, she said. She also drew attention to other efforts, including the integration of the Regional Drinking Water Supply System with Water Management Installation, dams, and distribution networks. Kusumastuti stressed that efforts to integrate the two aspects require collaboration from regional governments as collaborators, as well as region-owned enterprises as operators, in formulating the related regulation; providing professional and competent human resources; coaching people so as to promote better behavioral change; and funneling funds through many alternative sources. She expressed the ministry’s commendation for efforts made by regional drinking water companies (PDAM) who have successfully integrated drinking water and domestic wastewater management systems. The companies include Tirtanadi from North Sumatra, Tirtawening from Bandung, Surakarta Drinking Water Company, and Balikpapan Drinking Water Company, she said.

Source: Antara News Agency