The companies are allegedly disposing the waste without first processing it at a sewer treatment plant (IPLT). 

"In my calculation, there are around 300 private septic tank pump trucks operating in Jakarta, but only 100 dump their waste at the IPLTs," PAL Jaya’s research and development assistant manager, Johan Sufandi, said on Sunday as quoted by tempo.co.

The waste is supposed to be processed at the IPLTs in Duri Kosambi in West Jakarta or Pulo Gebang in East Jakarta. Both are capable of processing up to 1,800 cubic liters of fecal sludge per day. However, they have not yet reached their maximum capacity.

Johan alleged that the companies do not take their waste to the IPLTs due to the distance and cost. 

Responding to the finding, PAL Jaya’s president director, Subekti, said: "Should you find any sludge pump truck dumping their waste in public places, take a picture and report it to us."

Separately, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan claimed that he had prepared short- and long-term plans to overcome the problem and also to prevent further pollution caused by domestic waste. 

Anies said the program would start by recording the names of about 500,000 residents who do not have decent toilets.

The city would then allocate Rp 8.7 trillion (US$618 million) to build a Zone 1 integrated sewage treatment network system and establish a network of biopal toilets, completed with waste installations, in Central and North Jakarta. 

The city will also provide aid to residents who need to build toilets in their areas. (vla)