Citarum river flowing from the upper reaches of Mount puppet in the southern city of Bandung flows north and empties into the sea of Java. Citarum drain region 12 administrative districts / cities. Citarum supply water for the livelihood needs of 28 million people, the river is a source of drinking water for communities in Jakarta, Jakarta, Karachi, Purwakarta, and Bandung. With a length of about 269 km flow through the irrigation area to 420 000 hectares of agricultural area. Citarum is the source of Indonesia’s economic pulse rate of 20% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) with a carpet industry that is along the river Citarum.
Citarum longest and largest river in West Java province. And greatly affects people’s lives around it. Citarum river utilization varies from upstream to downstream of the memenehui household needs, irrigation, agriculture, animal husbandry and industry. Along with industrial development in the watershed terkelolanya Citarum and industrial waste is one of the causes of river pollution.
Image source: SewonArtSpace
Ironically, contrary to the historical value and significance to the nation Citarum Indonesia, is currently in crisis Citarum. Water flowing through Citarum been contaminated by a variety of wastes, which are the most dangerous toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes from industry. Currently in the headwaters of Citarum, about 500 plant stand and only about 20% that treat their waste, while the rest dispose of their waste is not directly responsible to the child or to Citarum Citarum river directly without supervision and action of the authorities ( government).
The Most Polluted River
Citarum current condition is severe portrait of a surface water management in Indonesia. Results of monitoring conducted by 30 Regional Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) Jawabarat Province in 2008 to 35 rivers showed that in general the status of water quality is heavily polluted.
Image source: SewonArtSpace
Although Indonesia has a surface water source as much as 6% of all surface water sources of the world, and 21% of total water resources in the Asia Pacific region, but the problem of clean water an issue that continues to haunt people in Indonesia. More than 100 million citizens of Indonesia does not have access to safe water sources, and more than 70% of Indonesia consume contaminated water. Diseases caused by unclean water consumption, such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, became the second largest cause of infant mortality in Indonesia. And each year, 300 of the 1,000 people of Indonesia must suffer various diseases caused by consuming water that is clean and safe.
Image source: SewonArtSpace
The public has a right to know what is contained in their current water source. so that they can avoid the disease or to initiate steps to live a healthy and friendly with Citarum river.