Kawasaki City and Bandung Extend Cooperation in the Environmental Sector

There are five parties who will be involved in the project. Namely the Housing and Settlement Area Service (DPKP), the Environment and Sanitation Service (DLHK), the Water Resources and Bina Marga Service (DSDABM), PDAM Tirtawening, and the Kawasaki City Government.

"Actually, we have also collaborated in 2020. There are three things that will be the focus of this project, including waste management, water environment and air quality," said Executive Director of the Water Works Bureau, Toshiyuki Suzuki at the Bandung City Hall, Tuesday. March 7, 2023.

"The project will last for three years. It is hoped that through this project a good cooperative relationship can be built for the progress of the two cities. But further discussions regarding this project still need to be held," he added.

He explained, in 1930 the Kawasaki government carried out infrastructure development for rainwater management. Then, in 1960 there was a regional regulation on improving infrastructure related to the management of waste water from toilets, bathing areas, and waste water from kitchens.

"We are also building an WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant). So 99 percent of the waste is channeled through pipes. This was built by the government in collaboration with the private sector. Installing pipes is private, with permission from the government," he explained.

Once the pipe is installed properly, the waste stream will eventually flow into the communal pipe.

"All of this is running smoothly because the key word is rules that are properly enforced by all levels of society," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Bandung City, Ema Sumarna, said that the handling of wastewater throughout the city of Bandung has not been fully accommodated by PDAM.

"Because the number of PDAM customers has not fully accommodated residents in the city of Bandung. So that does not rule out the possibility of residents of the city of Bandung disposing of waste where it should not," admits Ema.

According to him, there are two things that must be observed. First, the handling of wastewater that has been accommodated by the PDAM. Then, there are people who have not been accommodated by the PDAM, but they also produce wastewater.

"So there are institutions that handle it differently. Kawasaki can provide the right solution for both sectors. Apart from waste water, we can work together in the aspect of 'sharing knowledge' in handling improving air quality," said Ema.(din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Informatics Agency

Yayan A. Brilyana