Sunter River Polluted With Chemical Substances, DKI Provincial Government Searches Its Sources

Kali di kawasan Sunter, Jakarta Utara. (dok. Dinas LH DKI Jakarta)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (LH) found foam in the Sunter River, North Jakarta. The cake comes from Situ Ria Rio, Pulomas, East Jakarta.

Initial examination results show that the quality of Situ water has been polluted by organic content and surfactant chemicals.

"The foam phenomenon occurred when the pump at the Pulomas 1 Polder Pump House in Kelapa Gading and Pulomas 2 in Kayu Putih was turned on," said Head of the DKI Jakarta LH Service Asep Kuswanto in his statement, Thursday, August 21.

Asep revealed that his party was identifying the source of the polluter around Situ Ria Rio.

For short-term handling, the Department of Environment has prepared two steps. First, installing floating cubes downstream of pump outlets 1 and 2 at a distance of about 100 meters.

"This installation aims to prevent the spread of foam more broadly and is targeted for completion on August 30, 2025," said Asep.

Second, officers will spray foam using the high pressure spraying method with a pressure of 7'9 Bar according to operational standards.

"The Department of Environment also strengthens coordination with the Water Resources Service and pump house managers so that responsive steps can be taken immediately every time the pump operates.

In the long term, DLH will coordinate with PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) as the manager of Situ Ria Rio. The water quality recovery plan includes both physical and biological methods to outline organic and surfactant pollutants that trigger foam.

"The steps we take are not just temporary treatment, but part of ongoing efforts to improve water quality in Jakarta," he said.