Surabaya water utility apologizes for pollution-driven water quality issues

PDAM Surya Sembada has issued an apology to residents of Surabaya following reports of cloudy, foamy, and foul-smelling water in several districts, including Gunungsari, Kedurus, Jambangan, and Gayungsari.

The water quality issues were caused by pollution levels in the Kali Surabaya raw water source exceeding safe thresholds. According to PDAM officials, a decrease in water volume combined with stable pollutant levels overwhelmed the Karang Pilang water treatment plant. The pollution was severe enough to bypass standard sedimentation and filtration processes.

Technical teams are currently performing intensive cleaning and adjusting treatment processes at the Karang Pilang facility. PDAM is also coordinating with Perum Jasa Tirta I, the raw water provider, to mitigate the pollution in the river. Affected residents can request free water tank assistance through the company’s call center or WhatsApp service.