Dukuh Tondowesi In Jombang Langganan Difficulty With Clean Water, Social Minister Reveals The Trigger Is The High Kadar Kapur

Social Minister Risma reviewed the water source found in Klitih Village, Plandaan District, Jombang Regency, East Java, Sunday (29/10/2023). (Between/HO-Kemensos)

Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Tri Rismaharini revealed that the problem of clean water difficulties in Hamlet Tondowesi, Klitih Hamlet, Plandaan District, Jombang Regency, East Java, was triggered by water sources having high limestone levels.

In addition to having high limestone levels, the water sources used by the community also have high salt levels, so new clean water sources are needed.

"The water that was tested there turned out to be high limestone and salt levels, that's dangerous. It's easy to get kidney and baby failure if the mother is pregnant it can damage her brain. That's why we will move to find water. Earlier, we found water sources, hopefully, we can, but within 120 meters," he said in a written statement, Monday, October 30, confiscated by Antara.

The Minister of Social Affairs even said that he had visited the Tulungagung area and found that many children were sick. After being investigated, it turned out that the water source used by residents had high metal levels.

The Minister of Social Affairs explained that there is no problem with water sources that are far from residents compared to the threat of disease if they continue to use unhealthy water.

"Later there will also be water that is ready to drink, but in the mosque it can be taken. If you are at home or on the reservoir, you are not ready to drink. If you are ready to drink, all the pipeline networks are heavy. Hopefully, it can be fast," he said.

In addition to drilling water sources, the Ministry of Social Affairs has also prepared a water pump to flow into the water reservoirs that have been prepared. The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Integrated Center Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta provided assistance with clean water attention and 10 clean water reservoirs with a capacity of 2,200 liters per unit.

"Well, the pump must also be big enough to bring to the location of the barrels that we have prepared. Later the rest will only go up to the reservoir above, but first, the priority is the reservoirs that are below for us first," he said.

The problem of drought becomes a regular every year for the residents of Klitih Hamlet. People are forced to dig between rocks and puddles of water in the local village river that has dried up.

Meanwhile, the Head of Klitih Hamlet Ali Ta'in said the drought experienced by Dukuh Tondowesi was the worst. "Indeed, here every dry season must lack water, but this year is the worst. Here the affected are approximately 115 families," said Ali.

He said the drought had begun to be felt by its residents since June and residents began looking for water in the dry river.

Puji Rahmiwati (32), a resident of Dukuh Tondowesi, explained that her worst drought had been felt since early October. She was also forced to seek clean water into the river which is 100 meters from her house

"If it's drought, it's looking for water to be dug up. The distance to the river is 100 meters. Sometimes it is dug up, there is only one meter of water. If it's dry, dig it again," he explained.

Puji, who works as a farm laborer, explained that drought also has an impact on his income, because his plants are damaged.

Not only in Jombang, but the Ministry of Social Affairs has also provided clean water assistance in various parts of Indonesia affected by El Nino such as Gunung Kidul, Bogor Regency and other drought areas.