Indonesia Grapples with Water Resource Pressures Amid Threats to Food Security and Quality of Life

Strategic Insights -

Environmental Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has sounded the alarm on the significant impacts of mounting pressure on Indonesia's water resources, which directly threaten food security and the quality of life. The 2024 National Water Quality Index stands at 54.78, still short of the national target of 55.5. The minister highlighted the need for better integration of environmental, social, technical, and governance issues to ensure access to clean water for all Indonesians. The pressure on water resources has hindered progress toward food and energy security, reduced health and environmental quality, limited access to clean water, and increased hydrometeorological disasters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indonesia faces significant pressure on its water resources, which threatens food security and the quality of life.
  • The 2024 National Water Quality Index stands at 54.78, still below the national target of 55.5.
  • Environmental, social, technical, and governance issues are not well integrated, hindering progress toward ensuring access to clean water for all Indonesians.
  • Pressure on water resources has limited access to clean water, reduced health and environmental quality, and increased hydrometeorological disasters.
  • Java Island's water utilization index is 0.27, while Papua's index is 1.89, indicating greater water availability but less than optimal utilization.
  • Major rivers such as Citarum, Berantas, Musi, and Batang Hari have experienced a decline in quality in the last three years.
  • Approximately 60% of Indonesia's rivers are polluted due to domestic, industrial, and plastic waste in water bodies.
  • Climate change poses a significant threat to Indonesia's water resources, despite the country not having glaciers.
  • Minister Nurofiq calls on all parties to participate in protecting Indonesia's water resources.

Statistics:

  • 2024 National Water Quality Index: 54.78
  • National target for the National Water Quality Index: 55.5
  • Water utilization index for Java Island: 0.27
  • Water utilization index for Papua: 1.89
  • Annual water needs for food in Java exceed 30 thousand million cubic meters per year
  • Approximately 60% of Indonesia's rivers are polluted due to domestic, industrial, and plastic waste

Sources:

  • Antara News Agency - "Indonesia Grapples with the Impacts of Mounting Pressure on Its Water Resources"
  • National Water Quality Index (2024)
  • Ministry of Environment data