Anticipating of Water Crisis, BP Batam and ATB Prepare the Alternative Steps

TRIBUNBATAM.id - The Batam Business Entity (BP) together with PT Adhya Tirta Batam (ATB) prepared anticipatory steps against the threat of a water crisis. Without anticipation, on July 6, 2020, Duriangkang Dam, which supplies 70 percent of water in Batam, will shut down.

BP Batam together with ATB prepared rationing steps, pumping water from the Tembesi Reservoir, and preparing artificial rain. This was stated by the Director of the Facility and Environmental Business Department, Binsar Tambunan. 

"Now, Batam is indeed very short of rain water or raw water. We anticipate the condition of rainfall," said Binsar during a press conference at Bida Marketing BP Batam, Thursday (05/03/2020).

He admitted, prepared steps, anticipating water scarcity in addition to rationing or rotation, by involving the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).

He continued starting next week, will discuss with BPPT to use weather modification technology for the application of TMPT BPC technology. 

Study on the selection of artificial technology, he continued, requires lower costs, or around Rp. 100 million. Where, it takes the implementation of the study for 14 working days. 

"We will conduct a quick study, to take a stand," he said.

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In response to the clean water crisis in Batam, another step that was prepared was to pump water from Tembesi Dam. At present, Tembesi Dam has been prepared to be managed. But the management auction has not yet been held. So, the water in Tembesi Dam cannot be utilized yet. Then another planned method includes pumping water from Tembesi to the nearest reservoir. 

"We are preparing steps for pumping raw water from the Tembesi reservoir to the Mukakuning reservoir," Binsar said.

He said the distance between Tembesi Dam and Mukakuning Dam was around 2.9 km. Two pumps are needed to fulfill the water supply to Mukakuning Dam.

"The cost is quite large. The pipe needs to procure 800 mm. Construction, the estimated cost is Rp 45.7 billion," he said. 

At present, he continued, the Tembesi reservoir already contains water. If pumped to another reservoir, the closest reservoir is in Mukakuning. If that is done, it can produce clean water of around 660 cubic meters per second. 

But for the certainty of the plan, they will discuss with the ATB. At least, if deemed urgent, then that step will be taken, while waiting for the construction of facilities, such as the WTPs in Tembesi and management of auctions. 

Another step taken to save water in Batam is rationing. In the initial stages, water rotation is carried out with two days water off and five days water on. Rationing in the Piayu and Mukakuning areas will take place on March 15, 2020. 

Without rotation, the clean water stock is predicted to last only until June 13, 2020. Of 228,900 customers, as many as 196 thousand are affected, 30 thousand are commercial and 3290 is affected. (*) 

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