Semarang land subsidence disrupts clean water supply

Land subsidence and soil cracking in Semarang, Central Java, are severely impacting the distribution of clean water. According to Ady Setiawan, President Director of PDAM Tirta Moedal, these geological shifts are causing physical damage and leaks in the city's piping infrastructure, particularly in coastal areas where colonial-era pipes are being affected by sinking ground.

PDAM Tirta Moedal reports a non-revenue water loss rate of nearly 42 percent due to these physical damages. Residents in areas such as Palebon have reported receiving murky, brownish water and experiencing significantly reduced water pressure, forcing them to strictly ration their daily usage for bathing and sanitation.

Experts suggest that excessive groundwater extraction is accelerating land subsidence, a problem compounded by rising sea levels. While PDAM is implementing smart water management systems to improve efficiency, local authorities note that regulating groundwater usage falls under the jurisdiction of the Center for Groundwater and Environmental Geology within the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.