Different Attitudes Of Acting Governor Heru Budi And His Subordinates Regarding Spraying Roads To Overcome Pollution

Firefighters spray water on the streets to reduce Jakarta/DOK IST pollution

JAKARTA - There is a difference in attitude from the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono and the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (LH) regarding the use of cars to spray roads to overcome air pollution in the capital city.

This activity has drawn criticism from experts because instead of expelling air pollution, spraying water on the highway is even considered to add pollution. This sprayed water has the potential to increase PM 2.5's concentration.

Heru Budi previously admitted that he would continue the road spraying activities previously carried out by the DKI Fire and Rescue Service (Disgulkarmat) and Polda Metro Jaya using water canons.

"Continue. (water spraying onto the streets) continues," said Heru on Wednesday, August 30.

However, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency, Asep Kuswanto, admitted that the use of cars to water roads was less effective in eradicating air pollution. In fact, the operational costs are quite large.

"If we use water cannon, how much do you want to go around? The water hasn't been expensive yet, the gasoline is expensive," Asep told reporters, Thursday, August 31.

Thus, Asep said that his party prioritized efforts to spray water from the top of the building using a water mass device. This is also in line with Heru Budi's plan to summon 300 high-rise building managers to participate in operating the tool.

This water mist tool is provided by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). One water mist device sells for IDR 50 million. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government asks the managers to spend their respective money to purchase the equipment.

Not only that, building managers were also asked to supply water from their respective buildings to be sprayed.

"The tool is Rp. 50 million and the operational cost is only Rp. 53 thousand per day. It is not expensive for the equipment, then also operations are not expensive. It should not be burdensome for the building," explained Asep.

Asep said that the spraying of water from above the building was effective enough to bind PM 2.5, thereby reducing the level of air pollution in the capital city. If possible, each building manager installs four water masses on each side of the building.

"If possible, to make it more effective, installed on four sides," he added.