Chandni Vatvani, Jakarta – For Indonesian fisherman Samsi, getting clean water to wash up after a long day of work is not that simple.
"Getting clean water is really difficult. When I first installed a pump, the water didn't come out," said the 63-year-old, who lives in the densely populated sub-district Kalibaru in North Jakarta's coastal Cilincing area.
"I wanted to re-install it, but I had to pay a subscription. I would have to pay a 2 million rupiah (US$125) subscription. In the end, it was better for me to just cut it off, at least I can still buy water."
Mr Samsi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, now gets his clean water supply from neighbours.
Building clean water pipelines
The capital city currently has about 65 per cent accessibility to clean water, and authorities have set an ambitious target of 100 per cent by 2030.
The government is also speeding up clean water pipeline construction.
Jakarta Water Resources Department acting secretary Hendri said: "Work is underway to build pipes in (the Special Region of Jakarta) so that later, all areas that have not been served by piped water will be served, so that people can get clean water through those pipes."
The aim is for the pipeline system to deter people from pumping well water, which increases the risk of land subsidence, especially in certain areas like North Jakarta.
For Cilincing resident Yulia Mayau, who buys her clean water supply from neighbours, filling one hour's worth of water costs her about US$1.85 and lasts her only three days.
After that, she has to wait for her turn to fill up her supply once again.
"It is expensive. It is a huge expense," she said.
"If you want to install a pump, if you want to install a network, the water service provider says they need at least 10 houses that want to install it. In the area towards the sea, there are often jams and pump failures."
Local residents selling their water told CNA that they are not legally allowed to do it, and that the pumps in their homes are only for private consumption.
One resident who was caught selling water after a spot check by authorities said she was fined US$300.
Those living within 80m of the sea can access a 2,000L water storage tank in its vicinity, but leaks in the tank means water runs out faster than expected.
Empowering the coastal community
The plight of these residents has caught the attention of local non-governmental organisation ESQ Kemanusiaan, which earlier this year found a sponsor for a bigger water tank.
The 5,000L tank of clean water can be divided for use by a maximum of eight homes in the area.
Even then, the water runs out after just one day. Each refill for 5,000L costs about US$35, and the tanks are only filled up if facilitated by the NGO which relies on donors.
In the long term, ESQ Kemanusiaan is hoping to empower the coastal community.
Ms Anjani Devi, the NGO's general manager, said: "What we actually want is to provide another source of income for the community and women here, so that they have the ability to collect or manage to bring in their own clean water, so that they become independent, and not just wait for help or from our donors. We want it to be like that in the future."
Analysts said authorities need to do more if they want to improve Jakarta's water situation.
The city can consider collaborating with developed countries, especially in the transfer of technologies, they added. If optimised, Jakarta has an abundance of water resources that simply need to be managed properly.
"We have to start raising the bar to make Jakarta a global city, namely by providing drinking water from the tap," said urban planning expert Nirwono Joga, coordinator for the Centre for Urban Studies at Trisakti University.
"This is the biggest challenge that we must deal with."