The availability of clean water from Huntara Tapsel is targeted to be fulfilled before Lebaran 2026

Huntara for people affected by disasters in Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra (Sumut). (Photo: Ministry of PU)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) targets that the provision of clean water facilities for temporary housing (huntara) for people affected by disasters in Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), can be met before Lebaran 2026.

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo said that in general, all housing units are ready to be occupied, but his party is still making improvements, especially in terms of the availability of clean water.

"The housing is actually ready. What we are currently ensuring is the adequacy of water for all units. Currently, we are adding drilling points so that the water needs of all residents can be met," said Dody in a written statement, Monday, March 9.

Dody explained that the clean water supply system in the South Tapanuli residential area uses boreholes and water tanks with pumps, while the electricity supply comes from PLN with 900 watts of power for each residential unit.

Currently, there are two shallow boreholes and the PU Ministry is accelerating the addition of four to five boreholes to ensure adequate water supply for all residents in 21 residential blocks.

While waiting for the completion of additional boreholes, said Dody, his party together with PT Nindya Karya as the implementing contractor also helped meet water needs through filling the tank using a tanker truck.

"We target in the next few days the additional wells will be completed, so that all residents are entitled to immediately occupy this huntara," he said.

Overall, the South Tapanuli residential area is prepared to accommodate around 245 families (KK) according to the data on the needs submitted by the local government (Pemda).

To meet these needs, the PU Ministry has built 252 housing units in 21 modular blocks. Each modular block consists of 12 housing units.

Each block is equipped with communal sanitation facilities with a total of 126 toilet units and 126 shower room units. The area is also equipped with a communal kitchen, a washing area and a 5 cubic meter capacity Waste Water Treatment System (IPAL).

The residence was built on a land area of 14,369.03 square meters out of a total land area of 74,081.51 square meters, with an overall area of about 2.6 hectares.

In addition to residential units, the area is also equipped with various supporting facilities, such as a mosque, multipurpose building, futsal court, communal room, children's playground, guard post, as well as green areas and parking to support residents' activities.

The Regent of South Tapanuli Gus Irawan Pasaribu conveyed his appreciation for the central government's support in accelerating the provision of residential houses for disaster-affected people in his area.

"Our hope is that in the next few days all affected residents can occupy this huntara, so that when Eid comes, there will be no more people in the refugee camp," he said.

One of the huntara residents, Abdul Karim Hasibuan, has received the keys to the huntara and said he was grateful to be able to live in a more decent place.

"Alhamdulillah, we are very grateful to the government. Two days ago we received the keys and now we can live here with our families. The place is comfortable and much better than before," he explained.