Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Bottled drinking water has become a main source of water in the Seribu Islands region as a part of the Jakarta Province. As an island surrounded by the ocean, access to clean and drinking water is very limited, leading to being dependent on bottled water.
The former Minister of Finance, Bambang Brodjonegoro, explained the habit of relying on gallons of water in Indonesian households, especially among the middle class, has a significant impact on the household economy.
In some developed countries, tap water can be drunk directly, but in Indonesia, there are no public drinking water facilities. As a result, people prefer bottled water because of the cleanliness and convenience factors.
Based on data quoted from CNBC Indonesia Research, Jakarta is one of the provinces that is most dependent on bottled drinking water. In 2023, around 79.39% of households in DKI Jakarta rely on gallons of water and other bottled water. Increasing urbanization and public awareness of the importance of clean water have been the main drivers of high consumption of bottled water.
Easier accessibility in urban areas is also a factor in why Jakarta is leading in terms of bottled drinking water usage.
Interestingly, the Seribu Islands region, which is a part of DKI Jakarta Province, recorded a higher dependence. In 2022, data from BPS showed that 97.89% of households in the Seribu Islands used bottled water as their main source of drinking water. This dependence is higher compared to previous years, such as 2020 and 2021, which each recorded 87.12%.
The Seribu Islands consist of two sub-districts, namely the South Seribu Islands and the North Seribu Islands, with a total population of 23,876 people in 2014. As an archipelago, access to clean water is very limited, making bottled water more preferable to the household.
Inadequate water infrastructure and the geographical conditions of the island that are difficult to reach by water pipes are the main reasons why bottled water is an inevitable choice for the community.
Looking at this data, the government should start to review the plan to develop clean water infrastructure in the Seribu Islands. If not addressed immediately, dependence on bottled drinking water could continue to increase and burden the household economy, especially in island areas with limited access.
(Raidi/Agung)
