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Water hyacinth not long-term solution

Greenery: North Jakarta Water Management workers plant water hyacinths in a 50 by 11 meter area in the Inlet 3 River in Sunter Agung, North Jakarta, on Tuesday

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Thu, December 6, 2018

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Water hyacinth not long-term solution

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reenery: North Jakarta Water Management workers plant water hyacinths in a 50 by 11 meter area in the Inlet 3 River in Sunter Agung, North Jakarta, on Tuesday. The hyacinths were planted as part of a three-month trial run to remove pollutants from the water.(JP/Sausan Atika Maesara)

The city administration’s attempt to curb river pollution using water hyacinth is considered a make-it-or-break-it move, because despite its ability to absorb organic or anorganic pollutants, it also has some consequences, experts have warned.

The North Jakarta administration has initiated a study on using water hyacinth to remove pollutants from Inlet 3 River in Sunter Agung, North Jakarta.

The operations head of the North Jakarta water management unit, Lambas Sigalingging, said the initiative had commenced Sunday on two separated areas in the river, each consisting of a 50 by 11-meter paralelogram. He said the study would run for three months.

When The Jakarta Post visited the location on Tuesday, several workers had almost completed planting the water hyacinth in the designated areas that were isolated by orange floating dividers.

Lambas told the Post on Tuesday that despite being scrutinized, his side would strictly monitor the area.

“People are terrified because of the massive spread of water hyacinth. I believe if we control [the spread], it would be OK. As experts have said, it is one of the best plants that can absorb pollutants and purify water,” Lambas said.

“During the three months, laboratory technicians will regularly collect water samples from the river,” he said.

“Hopefully, it will work well. We will inform our leaders of the results [of the study]. If it succeeds, it does not rule out the possibility of being applied in other water bodies in the capital,” Lambas added.

He said Inlet 3 River, which is one of the inlet rivers that feeds into the North Sunter Reservoir, was chosen because the water had similar characteristics with other rivers in Jakarta and was relatively small at 700 by 11-m. Hence, Lambas said, his side could easily monitor the impact of the water hyacinth.

“As it is easier to monitor the impact, it will be easier to evaluate the results,” he said.

In an attempt to prevent the negative consequences of water hyacinth, such as its spread and river siltation, the unit is set to deploy one other person in addition to the two personnel to monitor the designated area on a daily basis.

“They are in charge of pulling out rotten plants. [We will] control [the water hyacinth], we’re not just planting it there,” he said.

Lambas emphasized that there was no funding allocated for the study because the floating dividers belonged to the unit and the water hyacinth was taken from other areas in Penjaringan and Cilincing in North Jakarta.

“There’s nothing to lose by trying it,” he concluded.

An environmental management expert from Bandung Institute of Technology, Indah Rachmatiah, said the initiative was worth a try, as water hyacinth is scientifically proven to be able to absorb organic or anorganic pollutants.

“Water hyacinth is a more adaptable plant in polluted water compared to kiapu [water lettuce] or salvinia [Kariba weed]. However, other methods of treating water should also be applied,” she said.

Indah said in heavily polluted water, using plants to tackle pollution was considered an additional treatment, which should be preceded by other methods, such as aerobic treatment if applied to a river.

With only water hyacinth, she added, it would be unlikely to completely remove pollutants from the river.

A limnologist at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Gadis Sri Haryani, said the water hyacinth could absorb organic substances and heavy metals.

“However, we have to be alert so that the plant does not cover all the of water’s surface,” she said, citing that if not controlled, the plant would be likely to increase evapotranspiration and oxygen depletion in the water, which might be detrimental to organisms living underwater.

“It should only be a short-term plan and there has to be a long-term plan. Do not continuously use water hyacinth,” she said.

Gadis added that in parallel, water treatment and prevention from the source of pollution should be implemented.

“Limit the garbage [thrown into water]. Solve [the problem] from the source, such as building a communal wastewater treatment plant that covers domestic and industrial activities,” she said. “Because any plant [used for removing pollutants] has limited capacity.” (sau)

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