Indonesia
Indonesia is a nation composed of 17,000 small islands and is located in Southeast Asia. It has nearly 55,000 kilometers of coastline, but of that number, only 2,000 km contain renewable water resources. Water pollution from industrial wastes and sewage is one of the top environmental issues facing the nation today.
Drinking Water
"The WHO/Unicef Joint Monitoring Report indicates that unsafe drinking water remains a major cause of diarrheal illness and is the second leading cause of death in children under five," according to Community Restoration Solutions. Drinking water is necessary to survive and many rural and urban Indonesians are finding it very difficult to locate clean, sanitary water.
In rural communities, the dry season in Indonesia prevents many from obtaining clean water due to the high demand for diminishing resources. In urban areas, poor infrastructure and a growing population creates a water crisis like no other; many Indonesians are living in slums where the water streams are polluted with sewage and trash.
Lack of good, clean drinking water does not only affect human life, but Indonesia's economy as well. A large percent of an average Indonesian's income is spent on buying overpriced drinking water, leaving little money to buy other necessities.
In rural communities, the dry season in Indonesia prevents many from obtaining clean water due to the high demand for diminishing resources. In urban areas, poor infrastructure and a growing population creates a water crisis like no other; many Indonesians are living in slums where the water streams are polluted with sewage and trash.
Lack of good, clean drinking water does not only affect human life, but Indonesia's economy as well. A large percent of an average Indonesian's income is spent on buying overpriced drinking water, leaving little money to buy other necessities.
Causes
Indonesia is unique in that the nation is not lacking water; in fact, the nation receives around 2700 mm of rainfall annually. The problem is pollution. The main factors that contribute to Indonesia's water crisis are: lack of government involvement, lack of sanitation, saltwater intrusion, abusive water prices, and the agricultural and manufacturing industries.
Government Involvement
Indonesia's government, although a democratic republic, has done little to aid its poverty stricken residents who are fighting to find water. The country needs pollution regulations to ensure that everyone has access to clean water. In addition, there is a lack of funding from the government to actively find a solution to their water problems.
Sanitation
In Indonesia, most homes are not connected to any sort of sewage system. Fifty-six percent of citizens simply take their waste and dump it into the rivers or streams found nearby. This is a social norm and therefore, one of the biggest causes of the pollution problem.
Saltwater
The overdrawing of groundwater in Indonesia has lead to salt water entry in the water table. As the population increases, the demand for water increases. Only 30% of the drinking water demand is met by surface water, causing citizens to rely on groundwater.
Water Prices
Water vendors are known to hold water during the dry months and sell what they have at inflated prices. Most Indonesians cannot afford these prices and are forced to drink unsanitary water. The private water companies overcharge for their water, but the government has not acted upon it.
Industry
The textile industry in Indonesia creates excess waste materials that are commonly dumped in rivers or streams. Since the government is not very proactive when it comes to the water problem in Indonesia, there are no regulations or laws concerning the disposal of waste. Agriculture also plays a huge role in the pollution of Indonesia's water. Cow manure is commonly dumped into the rivers as a form of disposal. Not only does the manure contaminate the water, but the fertilizers IN the manure also adds to the contamination.
Government Involvement
Indonesia's government, although a democratic republic, has done little to aid its poverty stricken residents who are fighting to find water. The country needs pollution regulations to ensure that everyone has access to clean water. In addition, there is a lack of funding from the government to actively find a solution to their water problems.
Sanitation
In Indonesia, most homes are not connected to any sort of sewage system. Fifty-six percent of citizens simply take their waste and dump it into the rivers or streams found nearby. This is a social norm and therefore, one of the biggest causes of the pollution problem.
Saltwater
The overdrawing of groundwater in Indonesia has lead to salt water entry in the water table. As the population increases, the demand for water increases. Only 30% of the drinking water demand is met by surface water, causing citizens to rely on groundwater.
Water Prices
Water vendors are known to hold water during the dry months and sell what they have at inflated prices. Most Indonesians cannot afford these prices and are forced to drink unsanitary water. The private water companies overcharge for their water, but the government has not acted upon it.
Industry
The textile industry in Indonesia creates excess waste materials that are commonly dumped in rivers or streams. Since the government is not very proactive when it comes to the water problem in Indonesia, there are no regulations or laws concerning the disposal of waste. Agriculture also plays a huge role in the pollution of Indonesia's water. Cow manure is commonly dumped into the rivers as a form of disposal. Not only does the manure contaminate the water, but the fertilizers IN the manure also adds to the contamination.
Solutions
Education
Indonesian citizens know little to nothing about proper sanitation and good hygiene. For this reason. education programs should be put into place to teach them (from a young age) the benefits of proper habits. This can help to eliminate many of the social issues that come with Indonesia's sanitation problem.
Water Treatment Plants
The first thing we must do to improve the water crisis in Indonesia, is improve their infrastructure. Though time consuming and expensive, it is absolutely necessary in order to create a permanent solution. Water treatment and purification facilities should be constructed. The federal government of Indonesia and private water companies should team together to create the funds for this program.
Sewage Systems
The use of sewage systems should be initially implemented via public restrooms. With the improvement of the infrastructure that was discussed earlier, people can begin using toilets in their own homes, thus eliminating the human waste contamination. If the surface water is clean, the public won't be forced to tap into groundwater, which will stop saltwater intrusion.
Indonesian citizens know little to nothing about proper sanitation and good hygiene. For this reason. education programs should be put into place to teach them (from a young age) the benefits of proper habits. This can help to eliminate many of the social issues that come with Indonesia's sanitation problem.
Water Treatment Plants
The first thing we must do to improve the water crisis in Indonesia, is improve their infrastructure. Though time consuming and expensive, it is absolutely necessary in order to create a permanent solution. Water treatment and purification facilities should be constructed. The federal government of Indonesia and private water companies should team together to create the funds for this program.
Sewage Systems
The use of sewage systems should be initially implemented via public restrooms. With the improvement of the infrastructure that was discussed earlier, people can begin using toilets in their own homes, thus eliminating the human waste contamination. If the surface water is clean, the public won't be forced to tap into groundwater, which will stop saltwater intrusion.