JAKARTA - Evita Nursanty, Chair of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR), submitted several questions to PT Tirta Investama, which owns the Aqua bottled drinking water (AMDK) brand.
Evita's questions were responded to by Vera Galuh Sugijanto, Vice President and General Secretary of Danone Indonesia.
Initially, Vera explained that Aqua currently has 20 factories concentrated in West Java. Most of the others are spread across Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Bali. Aqua currently has around 10,000 employees.
Regarding the water source used by Aqua, she claimed it is mountain water. Before sourcing the water, Aqua collaborates with universities such as Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Padjadjaran University (Unpad) to locate the source, which can be proven hydrogeologically and isotopically to be rainwater captured in the mountains.
"Only after that can we determine whether the location is suitable for opening a factory, according to existing market demand. Therefore, our water source is mountain water, as per the hydrogeological study. Of course, the permit is a deep groundwater permit or Groundwater Exploitation Permit (SIPA) issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources," Vera said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, November 10.
Meanwhile, regarding the perception or opinion that Aqua is drilled water, she explained that drilling is the method the company must use to obtain deep groundwater sources, whether confined or protected aquifers.
Vera explained that aquifer water has been naturally protected for hundreds of years by layers of rock, so there is no risk of contamination from the water source.
"Therefore, the water source is mountain water, in accordance with the hydrogeology. The drilling depth is appropriate for the aquifer's conditions and the permit granted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources," she explained.
She revealed that Aqua produces 1 million cubic meters of water per month in various products, from bottles to gallons. Meanwhile, 99.9 percent of Aqua's marketing is still conducted in the domestic market.
After Vera's presentation, Evita Nursanty, Chair of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, asked several questions. First, she was still confused about whether Aqua gets its water from the mountains or groundwater.
"I'm still confused, ma'am, by your answer, 'Mountain water, but it's taken from the ground. What's the real question? Mountain or ground?" Evita asked.
"Then, pay Rp 600 million to the PDAM. This is just one location in West Java. Not to mention 20 other locations. Because as far as I know, PDAM gets its water from the mountains. You do drill for groundwater. All your water comes from the mountains. But what's clear is that your water source is from the ground, not directly from the mountains," she explained.
Responding to this, Vera clarified the public perception.
"May I ask for clarification, ma'am? First, our factories are all located at the foot of the mountains. We need 1-2 years of hydrogeological research with Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Padjadjaran University (Unpad) to determine the location of mountain water sources that can be drawn from the deepest, most confined, or protected aquifers," she explained.
According to Vera, Aqua water comes from mountain water that falls on mountain slopes and then enters rainwater catchment areas. This natural process causes the water to seep into the ground.
"Of course, not all locations are claimed to be mountain water. According to hydrogeological or isotope studies, the water source at point A originates from rainwater catchment areas on specific mountain slopes, such as Salak or Merapi, and so on. Our water source, which comes from mountain springs, requires drilling to extract the water and to ensure that the water coming from the pipes is free from other contaminants that travel upstream," Vera explained.
Evita, still confused, asked again about Aqua paying compensation to the PDAM (Regional Revenue) in Subang, West Java.
By taking mountain water, Aqua should only pay the regional revenue (PAD) to the region where the water is sourced.
"I'm a bit confused. Other companies take mountain water and pay the regional revenue (PAD). Ma'am, you pay to the PDAM. This is groundwater," she asked again.
Vera replied that paying PDAM only applies to Subang. She explained that in Subang, Aqua's water source happens to be close to the PDAM Subang water source.
"According to the agreement established when the Subang factory was established, we pay a contribution to the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) to maintain and care for the water. This is because PDAM is concerned that our water source could impact the PDAM's water flow or level. Our payment is not for water usage, but rather compensation for maintaining and protecting the nearby water source," he explained.
Previously, Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) summoned eight bottled drinking water (AMDK) companies, along with the Industrial Services Policy and Standardization Agency (BSP) and the Directorate General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) following the controversy surrounding Aqua's use of water from drilled wells instead of mountain water.
The AMDK companies summoned by the DPR were PT Panfila Indosari, which produces RON 88 drinking water; PT Amidis Tirta Mulia, which produces Amidis; PT Tirta Fresindo Jaya, which produces Le Minerale; PT Muawanah Al Ma'soem, which produces Ma'soem; PT Super Wahana Tehno, which produces Pristine; PT Tirta Investama, which produces Aqua; PT Sariguna Primatirta, which produces Cleo; and PT Jaya Lestari Sejahtera, which produces Yasmin.
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