TANIMBAR ISLANDS (27 June 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, recently deployed a team to install advanced clean water treatment plant systems in the village of Lematang, located in South Tanimbar, Tanimbar Islands, Maluku. The installation of a clean water treatment plant is intended to assist individuals in addressing the clean water crisis during the dry season. "Before the installation, where did you obtain the water from?" inquired Minister Risma during a dialogue with a group of residents. All residents present responded in unison, stating that the water was sourced from an "ancient well."

Tanimbar Islands Regency is located in one of Indonesia's coastal areas that is situated close to Australia. Tanimbar continues to face drought during the dry season, even though the majority of its territory is surrounded by water. The dry season typically falls between October and December.  “The dry season occurs between October and December. If the residents have difficulty getting water, they will take it from old wells in the forest,” explained Mesak Tapdare (52), the head of the Residents Welfare Section in Lermatang Village, South Tanimbar District.  During the dry season, the local community gathers at the old well to collect water, sometimes having to wait in line with up to 20 people. Despite the high water demand, residents are required to wait for an hour to refill the well, even when it runs dry.  "When the dry season comes, the water dries up, residents have difficulty getting water and consume it carelessly, resulting in many suffering from diarrhea," Mesak continued.

The water source in the village of Lermatang is commonly referred to as the "old well" by its residents. That is because the well has been in existence since the 1800s and has become a revered tradition, handed down from one generation to another. There is a belief that the water from the well has the power to heal disease. The residents are convinced that the water has an unusual ability to detect the presence of supernatural forces, as they claim it starts boiling when black magic is nearby. There is a common belief that individuals who want to access the well area should bring a small stone and toss it into the well. This signifies the deep respect of the residents and has evolved into a cultural tradition that is deeply embedded in their everyday existence.

The ancient well, known as "Wetutune Wempas Dalam", is situated deep within the woods, requiring a pleasant 20-minute stroll along a well-marked path. Typically, the residents come prepared with two 5-liter jerry cans, effortlessly carrying them in both hands. Occasionally, it requires four loads to fulfill a family's water needs. During the dry season from October to December, the water in old wells runs out, prompting residents to turn to drinking water that is not safe for consumption.

The water crisis on Tanimbar Island is greatly influenced by the weather and climate conditions. From September to October, the island experiences a tiny monthly rainfall of only 203 mm. Another issue that arises is the occasional blackout of electricity, leading to a complete halt in the distribution of clean water. As a result, Minister Risma is supporting the construction of a clean drinking water treatment facility that will be powered by solar energy. The facility will have a peak capacity of 8,000 watts.

Assistance with the installation of clean water is one of the social service initiatives organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Tanimbar Islands. MoSA has successfully implemented a project in Lermatang Village, providing clean drinking water through cutting-edge solar-powered reverse osmosis technology. The facilities have a remarkable capacity of 4,000 liters. Two water reservoirs are utilized to transform river water into purified water. This installation can generate 1 liter of water every second, resulting in a total production of up to 6,000 liters per day. There is plenty of water to support 445 families. The units that have been constructed thus far include 2 clean water reservoirs, 1 drinking water reservoir, and 1 reverse osmosis machine. The distribution of the components for the solar panel unit is still ongoing.