Use of Kalimati River water for drinking water supply (Indonesia)

Clean water is a fundamental requirement for sustaining all life forms. As urban areas expand, the demand for water increases while its availability diminishes, necessitating the exploration of alternative water sources. Communities often resort to river water, which has become increasingly polluted due to daily activities such as washing, bathing, cooking, and other domestic uses. Therefore, water treatment is crucial to ensure water safety and quality. The government has established Regional Drinking Water Companies (PDAM) as part of efforts to meet public water needs. Drinking Water Supply Systems (SPAM) are developed to treat raw water into potable water. Raw water sources include springs, surface water (such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs), groundwater (wells), and rainwater. Selection of raw water sources is based on considerations of quantity, quality, continuity, and accessibility. After treatment according to water quality standards stipulated in Ministerial Regulation No. 2 of 2023, the water is distributed to served areas to ensure equitable access to clean water (Permenkes Nomor 2, 2023).

Despite the construction of Long Storage Kalimati as part of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) in Sidoarjo Regency, its utilization remains suboptimal. The water from Long Storage Kalimati is not fully utilized to meet clean water demands, especially in three districts of Sidoarjo that continue to rely on groundwater as their primary water source, despite its declining quality. Hence, the implementation of SPAM is necessary to treat raw water and distribute it to the community in compliance with water quality standards. This study aims to assess community willingness to pay for PDAM and transition to potable water from Long Storage Kalimati.