Jakarta is facing a serious challenge beneath its bustling streets, with a century-old water pipeline network that’s leaking more than ever. The city’s non-revenue water (NRW) levels have reached worrying heights, and much of the problem stems from infrastructure dating back to the Dutch colonial era.
Perumda Air Minum (PAM) Jaya President Director Arief Nasrudin said many of these pipes have been in use since 1922, channeling water from Ciburial in Bogor to a reservoir in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta.
“The non-revenue water project, why is water leakage in Jakarta so high? Because most of the pipes are already 103 years old,” he explained on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Despite their age, Arief said the system is still operating, with the reservoir capable of storing up to 20 million liters of water. However, maintaining such an old network is no longer sustainable. PAM Jaya estimates it needs an additional Rp14 trillion to replace the aging pipes.
“We need around Rp14 trillion more to renew those pipes so that the water can eventually become drinkable,” Arief said. The goal is not only to modernize infrastructure but also to improve public health. He believes that better water quality will help reduce health issues such as stunting.
This funding effort comes as PAM Jaya prepares to enter the stock market. The plan aims to make the regional water company more financially independent and less reliant on the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD). At the same time, PAM Jaya is working to change its legal status from a regional public company (Perumda) to a regional limited liability company (Perseroda) to secure stronger legal protection for future operations.
Read also: Indonesia Ranks Among World’s Top 5 Ceramic Producers as Exports Surge 17%
While PAM Jaya focuses on infrastructure renewal, the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI) continues to expand access to clean water for residents. In September, Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the Pesanggrahan Water Treatment Plant (IPA), a key project to accelerate the distribution of clean water, especially in areas not yet reached by the city’s pipeline network.
The Pesanggrahan plant is expected to help Jakarta achieve 100 percent piped water coverage by 2029, supporting the city’s goal of becoming more sustainable and livable. The facility sources raw water from the Pesanggrahan River and has a production capacity of 750 liters per second, ensuring a more reliable clean water supply for residents.
Governor Pramono said the new plant represents strong collaboration between the local government and various partners in addressing one of Jakarta’s essential challenges: providing equal access to clean water.
For Jakarta, upgrading its century-old water system is not only about improving infrastructure but also about building a healthier, more sustainable city for the future.
