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Because groundwater throughout Jakarta (and other major cities) is severely polluted, water quality is an important concern in all households, expatriate and Indonesian. A recent government report stated that 80% of groundwater in Jakarta is polluted with pathogenic, disease causing bacteria, such as e-coli.

As there is no municipal sewage system in Jakarta, all your household waste is sent to a septic tank located somewhere under your garden. In many neighborhoods the septic tank is simply a hole in the ground with layers of coral rock and ijuk fiber at the bottom to filter the water. Poorly constructed or old septic tanks or septic holes leak raw sewage which eventually leaches down into the groundwater supply. As a result, dangerous Coliform bacteria are commonly found in groundwater. A simple cut can become badly infected if bathed in water containing coliforms and showering or bathing can be dangerous, particularly for young children who splash and drink the water in the bath.

Water Sources

Household Wells (aka Deepwells)

Most homes in Jakarta have individual wells that supply water for household needs. These wells are referred to as deep wells, however, they are actually shallow wells of around 20m on average.

A typical domestic setup consists of a well pump that lifts the water from the well and pumps it into an above ground storage tank. See below for more information on water tank towers. During the dry season many shallow wells run dry and you may need to have your well deepened. Although, this may not always be feasible and depends on your location and the rock formation beneath your well.

Ask the neighbors of houses you are considering renting if the wells have run dry in recent years. If they have, and the house you're considering has an older-looking water pump, you should ask the landlord to install a new, high quality jet pump before you move in. These are inexpensive and readily available.

When looking at prospective homes, it is best to check the water pressure, odor and sediment. It is also a good idea to have the water tested by a reputable laboratory.

City Water (aka PAM)

Some homes in Jakarta, and other major cities, have connections to PAM, the city water authority. While the quality of PAM water is better than groundwater, the supply is uncertain and the pressure can be low depending on your area. Due to a poorly maintained distribution system PAM water, even though it may have been clean upon leaving the water treatment facility, may be badly polluted by the time it reaches your home. PAM water is not potable and should be boiled before drinking or using in cooking.

PAM water runs from the water line into a holding tank on your property, which is usually at ground level, or dug into the ground. If the power goes off, you have to dip the water out of the holding tank with pails. Also, if your area should flood, the entire holding tank has to been cleaned out, a real problem with this system!

You receive a bill monthly for your PAM water usage, based on a meter reading at the point of entry into your home. If you have a well, it might be best to use well water for garden uses, and use the PAM water for household needs. Some families opt to have a well as a backup to the PAM supply and this is basically a very good idea, however in some areas wells are totally restricted.

PAM Call Center - 5798-6555

Common Water Contaminants

Some of the more common water contaminations you are likely to face are:

Iron in your water supply will cause reddish brown stains on your bathroom fittings and will cause rust-colored spots on laundry as well as turning white clothing to a yellow color.

Manganese will cause black staining on bathroom fittings and will cause black spots on laundry as well as turning white clothing to a gray color.

Hydrogen Sulfide will cause your water to have a rotten egg odor. This is usually particularly evident from the hot water faucet.

Bacteria and Viruses As there is no municipal sewage system in Jakarta, all your household waste is sent to a septic tank located somewhere under your garden. In many neighborhoods the septic tank is simply a hole in the ground with layers of coral rock and ijuk fiber at the bottom to filter the water. Poorly constructed or old septic tanks or septic holes leak raw sewage which eventually leaches down into the groundwater supply. As a result, dangerous Coliform bacteria are commonly found in groundwater. A simple cut can become badly infected if bathed in water containing coliforms and showering or bathing can be dangerous, particularly for young children who splash and drink the water in the bath.

Salt Much of the northern sections of the city have extensive saltwater intrusion into the water table. The high salt content of the groundwater rusts metal objects that you may be cleaning with the water - cars, kitchen pans, etc.

Water Treatment Systems

Given the poor quality of water here in Indonesia, it is highly recommended that you have a water treatment system installed. There are few reputable companies in Jakarta that can install a variety of types of water treatment systems to filter or otherwise remove many of the common pollutants listed above.

Click here for a diagram of how these systems work.

It is common for companies employing expatriates to either rent or purchase water treatment systems and you should be sure to ask for one from your company. These systems last for a long time and these can be easily relocated so when you move home or leave the country the system can be moved as you move or relocated to the home of the person replacing you.

If your company refuses to purchase a system, you should be sure to demand one from the landlord, however, it is critical to get this done prior to the completion of your house rent negotiations as once the landlord is paid the rent in advance, you are not likely to be able to get them to purchase a system for you afterwards.

Note that there are many types of water filters available and it is highly recommended that you get involved with the selection process and be sure that the system being selected by your company or your landlord is a good quality water treatment system that is designed to treat the contaminants found in your water and not simply the cheapest water filter that they could find. Also, make certain that the company supplying this system is capable of supplying you with after sales services and will not vanish once your system is installed.

After all, the performance of this system and the capabilities of the company maintaining it is what is going to be responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of your water for your family for many years to come so be sure you get a system that you are 100% happy with.

Water Pressure and Water Towers

Poor water pressure is a common problem in many single family dwellings. Most homes will have a pump installed somewhere in the garage, garden or near the kitchen. This pump lifts water from your well and has to pump the water throughout your entire plumbing system.

At the point of extraction, it is advised to install an elevated storage tank (at least 500 liters). As electricity can be unreliable, it is best that this tank be situated in a tower that is higher than your ceiling height so that in the event of a power disruption you can rely upon gravity to bring the water into your home.

Following the storage tank it is a good idea to have a pressure pump installed as this will ensure constant, good water pressure throughout your home. Both of these pumps are readily available in most hardware stores, or special pump supply stores. Since these pumps are not easy to install and sizing of the pumps and their pipes is complex, it is advisable to use a pump specialist to ensure proper installation.

Your landlord will probably have contractors that can install these pumps for you or alternatively, a company that installs a water treatment system for your home can provide the right equipment and some of these companies can supply the required pumps along with the water treatment package.

Backups for Electrical or PAM Outages

If your water treatment system requires electricity to run, ensure that there is a by-pass switch to enable you to still get water through your system from your water tower in the event of electrical outage.

Another common backup water supply in the home is the bak mandi which is found in Indonesian-style bathrooms. If you have bak mandi in your home or servant's quarters, ensure that the servants keep them clean and filled up at all times as a backup water supply.

If the PAM water does not run for a couple of days, or if the power is off for an extended period, you can buy water from the "tukang air" that pushes his "wagon" of water cans around. Some people buy from him even when the power is on as the water is usually obtained from a PAM water tank and is cleaner than ground water.

See this related article - Plumbing and water treatment maintenance - helpful tips

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