Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung – Industrial and domestic waste originating from the outskirts of Bandarlampung are strongly believed to have polluted the coast of Lampung Bay. Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, copper and cadmium, have also contaminated the wells of residents living along the coast of Lampung Bay.
Lampung chapter Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) director Hendrawan said the industrial and household pollution had taken place in the past several years.
"The case came to light again following a study by the Lampung University, despite taking place since 2003. The industrial polluters are still allowed to operate 'til now," Hendrawan said recently. He added that the pollution in Lampung Bay was quite severe now.
"Lately, many turtle hatchlings have swum ashore because sea water has been polluted. As they are caught by residents, environmentalists have to buy them back from residents. Now, the hatchlings have been moved to safer waters at Kubur Island, near the Sunda Strait," Hendrawan said.
Based on a research conducted by a lecturer at the Marine Cultivation Study Program of the School of Agriculture at Lampung University, Indra Gumay Yudha, the coastal pollution was caused by polluted rivers that emptied into Lampung Bay, including the Sukamaju, Way Belau, Wau Kuala, Way Galih, Way Keteguhan, Way Kunyit and Way Lunik rivers.
In the Way Keteguhan River, for instance, lead levels have exceeded the tolerable levels regulated in Government Regulation No. 82/2001 of 0.042 parts per minute (ppm) for Class III quality water.
"Contents of heavy metals, such as copper and cadmium found in all the rivers showed that the levels are far below that of Class III quality water. The main source of pollution of heavy metals is urban domestic and industrial waste," Indra said.
According to him, a number of metals contained in domestic waste come from metabolic waste and corroding water pipes.
"The waste produced by the industries is often heavy metals. They can have a fatal impact when they enter the coastal ecosystem, be it the marine biota or humans. Heavy metals are known to cause poisoning, paralysis, genetic disorders and death," he said.
As many as 12 residents' wells located along the coast were also contaminated by lead and copper pollutants due to sea water intrusion, Indra said.
Bandarlampung Maritime and Fishery Office head Agustinus Sinaga said one of the sources of the pollution was industrial waste from a number of factories located not far from the coast.
"We believe a number of industries have dumped their waste into the sea without processing it beforehand," he said.
Agustinus said he would coordinate with the Bandarlampung Environment Management Agency (BPLH) to immediately conduct an investigation.
"We would use the outcome of the investigation to impose sanctions against recalcitrant companies," he said.
A member of the Lampung Fishermen Association, Muhammad Yamin, said it was too late for the Bandarlampung municipality to deal with the pollution in Lampung Bay.
"We have voiced our complaints for years and frequently staged protests, but they have never been followed up. Pollution is still taking place today and getting worse," Yamin said.
Yamin said that besides the turtle hatchlings swimming back to shore, many fish had died due to sea water pollution.
"The pollution is not only produced by industries located near the coast, but also hospitals in Bandarlampung that dump their waste into the rivers. As all the rivers are polluted, the coast is automatically polluted," Yamin said.
He said the income of fishermen in Lampung Bay had dropped in the past five years due to sea water pollution around the bay area.