Cimahi Drought, the Ministry of PU Dispatches 40,000 Clean Water Every Week

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) distributes 40,000 liters of clean water every week to help residents affected by drought in Leuwigajah Village, South Cimahi District, Cimahi City, West Java Province.

The distribution was carried out through the West Java Directorate General of Construction, Infrastructure, and Area (BPBPK) as part of the handling of the emergency response to the drought that has been taking place since July 7, 2026.

This step is a follow-up to the Decision of the Mayor of Cimahi Number 360/Kep.1530-BPBD/2026 regarding the Emergency Drought Alert Status which is valid from July 1 to September 30, 2026.

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo said that the provision of clean water is a basic service that must remain available to the public, especially when the region faces a water crisis due to the dry season.

"Water is the main foundation for sustainable development. Water plays an important role in supporting the agricultural sector, energy, climate action to poverty alleviation," said Dody as quoted from a written statement, Tuesday, July 28.

He added that quality water services are the backbone of economic, social and environmental development, especially in areas that face water resource constraints and the impact of climate change.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPBPK West Java M. Reva Sastrodiningrat explained that the distribution of clean water was carried out twice a week, namely every Tuesday and Friday.

In each delivery, BPBPK West Java deploys five tank cars with a capacity of 4,000 liters each.

Thus, the total clean water distributed reaches 20,000 liters per distribution or about 40,000 liters per week.

"Clean water distribution is carried out through six service points spread across four RW in Leuwigajah Village, which is a priority area for dealing with drought," said Reva.

According to him, the drought in the region was triggered by a long drought which caused the shallow groundwater reserves to continue to decline.

Until now, the community has relied on wells as the main water source, while the PDAM service network has not reached the affected areas.

As a result, when the dry season arrives, many residents' wells dry up, so that daily clean water needs depend on government assistance.

One of the residents of Leuwigajah, Nining, admitted that the clean water assistance was very helpful for the community to meet daily needs.

"Alhamdulillah, this clean water assistance has really helped us. During the dry season, our wells often dry up, so daily water needs depend heavily on this assistance," he said.

The PU Ministry emphasized that it would continue to strengthen synergy with the Cimahi City Government (Pemkot) and stakeholders to ensure that the distribution of clean water is effective, targeted, and sustainable during the emergency drought standby period.