In the 19th century, East Indies lieutenant-governor Thomas Stamford Raffles wrote in History of Java that Javanese people commonly boiled water and drank it while it was still warm.That practice remains relevant two centuries later, as more than half of all Indonesian families consume water from sources that provide water deemed unsafe to drink. The rest, or four of 10 families, buy bottled water.
“Documenting 75 years of resilience” is a series of special reports by The Jakarta Post to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1945.
In the 19th century, East Indies lieutenant-governor Thomas Stamford Raffles wrote in History of Java that Javanese people commonly boiled water and drank it while it was still warm.
That practice remains relevant two centuries later, as more than half of all Indonesian families consume water from sources that provide water deemed unsafe to drink. The rest, or four of 10 families, buy bottled water.
Indonesia’s Independence attained 75 years ago has not done much for access to water.
Water (never) for all
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