Environment Watch: New facility brings clean water for Brastagi residents

People had to walk long distances to springs to meet their daily water needs. But the long wait for clean water is over for Doulu villagers in Brastagi district in Karo regency, North Sumatra.

A clean water facility in the village has allowed residents to enjoy freshwater in their homes.

The facility directly distributes water from Lau Timekap spring through pipes to every home in Doulu village.

At least 275 families living in the mountainous area have been able to enjoy clean water from October last year.

The clean water facility is directly managed by the local community and each family is required to pay a monthly fee of Rp 10,000 (US$1.1)for the service.

Clean water facility head Kurniawan Tarigan, also member of the Doulu village consultation council, said of the fees collected from clean water facility use, 60 percent would be set aside for maintenance, 5 percent for social services, 5 percent for the environment, 5 percent for people’s welfare, 5 percent for caretakers and 30 percent for caretakers’ welfare.

He said residents had not objected to the clean water management system.

The residents, he said, had waited for the clean water service for a long time, but it was only realized 11 months ago.

He said residents used to benefit from the water sources around their homes for their daily needs, such as for drinking, cooking and washing, before the facility eventuated. Kurniawan said areas around the village were abundant with water sources flowing from nearby mountains, but they were not well managed.

“There are 30 mountain springs around Doulu village, but residents only benefit from two,” Kurniawan told The Jakarta Post. Kurniawan said every spring in the area originated from Mount Singkut and Mount Macik.

“I’ve been drinking water directly from the spring in Mount Singkut since elementary school. I’ve been drinking the water for more than 10 years but have never fallen ill.”

Asked about the taste of boiled water compared to water from the spring, Kurniawan said there was not much difference, but he added that people now felt safer if they boiled water first before drinking it.

Despite the presence of the clean water facility in the village, people continue to use mountain spring water to meet their daily needs, including washing and irrigating their rice fields.

Another Doulu villager Taufik Purba said villagers were very grateful for the mountain springs around their homes, as well as the presence of the clean water facility, as they could benefit from them greatly.

“We are happy about the clean water facility, including the numerous mountain springs, which can be an alternative for residents to meet their daily needs,” said Taufik, who earns a living as a farmer.

He said he had been using water from mountain springs to irrigate his field.

“The springs are God’s gift, and it would be a pity not to benefit from them, especially when they’re free,” said Taufik.