Work to Start Soon on Jakarta's Most Critical Dam

Jakarta Globe, Ulma Haryanto

Of the nine Jakarta dams identified by a World Bank report as being in critical condition, Situ Pedongkelan in Cimanggis, Depok, will be the first to be repaired to meet safety standards, an Indonesian public works official said on Wednesday.

“The city government has already set aside Rp 6 billion [$654,000] for its renovation this year,” Herning Wahyuningsih, head of water resources at the Jakarta Public Works Office, told the Jakarta Globe.

The World Bank report, titled “Situ-Situ Safety Inspection,” was prepared by a team of Indonesian and Dutch safety experts for the Public Works Ministry.

Compiled after the Situ Gintung reservoir burst, which left at least 100 people dead, the report studied 184 dams and lakes in Greater Jakarta between May and August 2009. It concluded that nine dams were in a critical state, with Situ Pedongkelan the most need of repair.

The other critical dams are located in Bogor, Depok, North Jakarta (Situ Pluit), South Jakarta (Situ Babakan) and South Tangerang.

Situ Pedongkelan is a man-made reservoir located near the border between Jakarta and Depok. Although shallower than Situ Gintung, and with an embankment that has been reinforced by stonework, the water surface in Situ Pedongkelan is higher than the houses in the dense residential areas surrounding it. Some 2,500 people live around the reservoir.

In total, the 2010 regional budget has earmarked Rp 373.35 billion for construction, repair and development projects at lakes and reservoirs in Jakarta.

“Although Situ Pedongkelan does not fall under the city’s administration, if the dam does burst it will impact Jakarta”, Herning said.

According to Jan Jaap Brinkman, the project leader for the World Bank report, the rehabilitation of critical dams was included in the Ministry of Public Works’ 100-day program.

“And when we talk about safety, Situ Gintung is the safest one in Jakarta since it’s almost empty [after the dam burst],” he added.

Herning is currently waiting for a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Public Works so work can begin on renovations to Situ Pedongkelan.

“Since it falls under the responsibility of the national [ministry], it might look like we’re overruling the government if we go ahead without first asking their permission,” he said.

A study carried out by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) last year found that while there were 240 lakes and dams in Greater Jakarta in 2000, that number had decreased to 184 as a result of sedimentation and residential development.

The study concluded that in addition to land conservation in downstream areas, the risk of a disaster is also influenced by the height of the dike, constriction of the lakes and dams, and sedimentation, as well as the level of maintenance.