Minister Risma Provides Clean Water Installation in Kei Besar Amid Water Crisis

SOUTHEAST MALUKU (July 26, 2024) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini boarded the Naval Vessel of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Teluk Weda-526 to Kei Besar Island, Southeast Maluku, to provide various forms of assistance, including clean water processing installations. The clean water processing installation uses solar energy and was built in Ohoinangan Village, Kei Besar Subdistrict, Southeast Maluku Regency, Maluku Province.

The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) provided the clean water processing installation to help the community cope with the clean water crisis, which occurs during the dry season. During the rainy season, the community can meet their clean water needs by drawing from rivers or rainwater, but during the dry season, they always struggle to obtain clean water.

"Recognizing this situation, we have come to offer a solution so that the clean water problem can be addressed," said Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini while inspecting the solar-powered clean water installation in Ohoinangan Village, Kei Besar, Southeast Maluku, on Wednesday (24/07).

Kei Besar is one of Indonesia's outermost coastal island regions.  Despite being primarily surrounded by water, Kei Besar Island experiences droughts, and residents have difficulty obtaining clean water during the dry season. The water crisis in Kei Besar is influenced by climate and weather conditions, with barely 6 mm of rainfall in September. In response, Minister Risma dispatched a team to drill boreholes and install a clean water processing unit equipped with solar cells with a capacity of 5,580-watt peak.

"Our village has long struggled to obtain clean water. When it rains, we have water; during the dry season, we have none," said one resident during a dialogue with Minister Risma. "Thank you, Minister, for providing clean water assistance to us," he added, expressing satisfaction with Minister Risma's visit, which marked the first time a minister had returned to Kei Besar since 1982.

Clean water installation assistance is one of the social service programs offered by the MoSA in Southeast Maluku Regency. MoSA drilled boreholes and installed a solar-powered reverse osmosis clean water processing installation in Ohoinangan Village, with a total capacity of 5,000 liters. There are two clean water tanks and a single potable water tank. The installation can produce one liter of water per second, for a total potable water output of 6,000 liters per day, enough to cover the needs of 278 people. The completed units comprise two clean water storage tanks, one potable water storage tank, and one reverse osmosis machine. The solar panel components are still in the distribution process.