Waduk Jatigede Lead Contamination Exceeds Safety Limits

A study of the Jatigede Reservoir in West Java measured lead (Pb) concentrations in water, sediment and fish. Lead was detected in water at 0.0072 mg/L at one sampling station, while sediment levels ranged from 0.0296 mg/kg to 0.0670 mg/kg. The highest concentration was found in fish from station III, reaching 0.8913 mg/kg, which exceeds the Indonesian SNI 7837:2009 maximum of 0.3 mg/kg.

The water quality met national standards, classifying the reservoir as Class II under PP No. 22/2021, but the elevated lead in fish indicates bio‑accumulation of heavy metals in the aquatic ecosystem. The findings suggest the reservoir is contaminated with lead and may pose health risks to consumers of local fish.