Kedungkandang (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government (Pemkot) through the Regional Public Company (Perumda) Tugu Tirta Drinking Water in collaboration with the Public Company (Perum) Jasa Tirta I has demonstrated its seriousness in realizing the program. Water Treatment Plant (WTP) or Water Treatment Plant (IPA) in 2023.
Following the signing of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) on the implementation of the drinking water supply system at the Grand Mercure Malang Mirama Hotel on January 6, 2023, various acceleration steps are currently being accelerated, starting from the design, auction schedule, land preparation to the socialization stage.
Malang Mayor Drs. H. Sutiaji has emphasized that this PKS is a form of government present for the people. Not only for the interests of the Malang City Government, Perumda Tugu Tirta or the interests of Perum Jasa Tirta. The need for drinking water is an absolute basic need and a common interest that must be optimized with accelerated steps.
With a work timeline from May to November 2023, at least the WTP service can be running before the end of the year. In the initial stage, the WTP program will utilize surface water from the Bango River with a capacity of 200 liters/second (lps). The location is in the Pandanwangi Village area, Blimbing District, Malang City.
Several things were conveyed by the President Director of Perumda Air Minum Tugu Tirta Malang City M. Nor Muhlas, S.Pd, M.Si when met, Tuesday (14/02/2023). He said that the Bango River was chosen because the quality of its raw water was considered better, because the flow overflowed from Sumber Wendit. "Even so, it does not rule out the possibility that in the future it will not only utilize the Bango River, because it could also be the Metro River," he continued.
The purification process also uses a filtration method and is carried out according to the standard rules of the Minister of Health Decree No. 492 of 2010 concerning the Quality of Drinking Water Standards. "This is a guarantee for all customers that the water distributed to the house taps is still safe to consume even though it is taken from surface water. The entry of 200 lps into the Perumda Tugu Tirta service system is targeted to make customer services more stable in 2023," he added.
This program, he said, is an investment in nature. Build Operate Transfer (BOT) for 20 years. Within a period of five years, the capacity of 200 lps is expected to increase to 500 lps. Thus, drinking water independence will soon be achieved in Malang City.
Mukhlas further revealed, the details after 200 lps in the initial stage, the next reservoir construction can be continued in 2025 with a capacity of 100 lps. In the third stage, another capacity of 200 lps will be added.
"Regarding the land rental system, it is currently being finalized between the Malang City Government, Perumda Tugu Tirta and PJT I. The land currently being explored is land owned by the Malang City Government with an area of almost eight hectares, but for the construction of WTP facilities, it is likely that only 20 percent of the land area will be utilized," he explained.
Although it has utilized WTP, Mukhlas explained, Perumda Tugu Tirta ensures that it will continue to maximize existing services from water sources and reservoirs that are spread out so that the availability of supply is safe and services are optimal.
Moreover, the Drinking Water Management System (SPAM) 1, 2 and 3 programs continue to run. The SPAM 1 program utilizes supplies from drilled wells in Tasikmadu, Joyoagung, Tidar, Betek and Tlogomas. SPAM 2 is centered in Sawojajar, while SPAM 3 utilizes supplies from drilled wells in the Merjosari, Mulyorejo, Pisangcandi and Kebonsari areas.
With the number of Perumda Tugu Tirta customers currently reaching 175.000 house connections (SR), according to Mukhlas, the idle capacity must be sufficient. The operation of WTP and SPAM 1, 2 and 3 is a back up strategy, without having to let go of the source water that has been managed by Perumda Tugu Tirta.
"Hopefully, if the service is stable, then Perumda Tugu Tirta can provide services for more SR or customers and encourage the Malang City Government to issue new regulations related to drinking water services in Malang City," concluded Mukhlas. (say/yon)
