Rainwater reserves a tenuous lifeline for Sumatran community amid punishing dry season

Kuala Selat Village Faces Water Crisis Amidst Dry Season

Kuala Selat village, located on the coast of Indragiri Hilir district on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is currently facing a severe water shortage. In the first half of the year, residents of the village collect rainwater using buckets and drums to meet their daily needs. However, due to a longer dry spell this year, the stockpiled water has run out, leading to an acute shortage of water in the village. The residents believe that the water crisis is linked to outbreaks of diarrhea, causing many to flee the village.

Impact of Climate Change on Water Stress

The water stress experienced in Kuala Selat is exacerbated by climate change. According to UNICEF, 436 million children live in areas with high or extreme water stress, and three-quarters of all natural disasters from 2001-2018 were water-related. Climate change is worsening the water stress felt in villages like Kuala Selat.

Reliance on Rainwater

Kuala Selat and other communities without access to piped water or viable wells rely mainly on rainwater. The residents collect rainwater in containers, which can be sold for prices ranging from 15,000 to 80,000 rupiah ($1-$5) depending on the size of the drum. Some families even travel long distances to collect water from rivers to ensure it is not brackish.

Challenges Faced by the Community

Most families in Indonesia rely on wells for water, but coastal communities like Kuala Selat face challenges due to saltwater intrusion or excess iron in the aquifer. The lack of a sewage network in the village also contributes to water-related health issues, such as diarrhea outbreaks. The water crisis in Kuala Selat highlights the need for sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water.

Efforts Towards Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Indragiri Hilir district, like many other district and city governments in Indonesia, is working towards this goal by supporting the local water utility and drilling wells for outlying communities. However, the district utility, PDAM Tirta Indragiri, is unable to provide piped water to remote areas like Kuala Selat due to financial constraints.

The community water and sanitation program, Pamsimas, has been a lifeline for water-stressed villages in Indonesia. Since 2008, the program has provided drinking water to millions of people in villages across the country. However, Kuala Selat is not adequately covered by the initiative, and the local government estimates that it will require significant funding to address the water shortage.

Sustainable Solutions

Drilling wells with necessary filtration systems can be costly and unsustainable for local government finances. To ensure equitable access to clean water, there is a need for increased investment in public infrastructure. Addressing the water crisis in Kuala Selat requires long-term sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of the community.

Conclusion

The water crisis in Kuala Selat village highlights the challenges faced by coastal communities in accessing clean water. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, leading to increased water stress. To achieve the SDGs and ensure access to clean water for all, it is crucial to invest in sustainable solutions and prioritize the well-being of communities like Kuala Selat.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 6.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator for SDG 6.2: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: news.mongabay.com

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