River Flow Decreases, PDAM Bengkulu Dredges Tanks to Maximize Water Storage in the Face of Drought

Officers distributed clean water to drought-affected areas in Penanggak Hamlet, West Lombok, NTB, Tuesday 12 September 2023. (ANTARA-Ahmad Subaidi)

BENGKULU - The Tirta Hidayah Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) of Bengkulu City is dredging its tank so that it can hold more water to anticipate drought in the dry season.

Director of Perumda Tirta Hidayah, Samsu Bahari, said that this was done due to the long dry season which caused the raw water sources of Perumda Tirta Hidayah, Bengkulu City, which are in the Bengkulu River and Jenggalu River, to decrease their flow.

"The first effort to overcome this problem is to clean or dredge the intake so that it can hold more water," said Director Samsu Bahari in Bengkulu, Tuesday, October 10, as reported by Antara.

Therefore, he apologized to all customers of Perumda Tirta Hidayah, Bengkulu City because the distribution of water to customers might be disrupted, especially those that are far from the reservoir and areas that are located in the highlands due to not being able to maximize the production and distribution of clean water.

Apart from carrying out dredging, we will also carry out Istisqa prayers to ask for rain in Bengkulu City.

Despite this, his party continues to provide clean water assistance to communities affected by the dry season or El Nino in the area.

"PDAM provides clean water assistance for communities affected by the long dry season which resulted in some communities experiencing drought," said Samsu.

People who are experiencing drought and need clean water can ask for help by sending a letter to Perumda Tirta Hidayah or PDAM Bengkulu City through their respective RT heads, and you can also call the service number 0852-1600-0788.

Then, the community can prepare a shelter that can be reached by a five-meter tank hose, and one tanker can meet the clean water needs of five to seven houses.

"This clean water assistance is free, if there are people who need it, please contact Perumda Tirta Hidayah Bengkulu City by attaching a complete address," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bengkulu City Government has appealed to all residents to wisely use clean water before and during the dry season.

The community is also asked to adapt, because every dry season in Bengkulu City there is a scarcity of clean water.