In light of the imminent freshwater crisis looming over the prospective Nusantara Capital City (IKN), PDAM Danum Taka, a regional tap water company headquartered in Penajam Paser Utara regency, has unveiled an extensive blueprint aimed at addressing the pressing issue.
The Mahakam Regional Water Supply System (SPAM) emerges as the linchpin of this strategic initiative, envisaged to serve as a lifeline for parched communities within the envisioned capital’s ambit.
The SPAM project, delineated to span multiple administrative regions and draw upon the abundant waters of the Mahakam River, represents a watershed moment in the quest to alleviate water scarcity plaguing locales such as Balikpapan City and Kutai Kartanegara. Abdul Rasyid, PDAM Danum Taka’s Director, elucidated the paramount importance of fostering regional synergy in efficiently stewarding precious water resources.
Central to the SPAM’s infrastructure constellation is the establishment of a state-of-the-art Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Samarinda, poised to emerge as a beacon of modern engineering prowess. Furthermore, an intricate network of pipelines linking Kutai Kartanegara, Balikpapan, and Penajam Paser Utara will serve as the arterial conduits for the seamless conveyance of potable water to far-flung corners of the sprawling urban expanse.
The projected scope of this transformative endeavor encompasses an estimated investment outlay hovering around the Rp 1.5 trillion (US$94.9 million) mark, underscoring the magnitude of financial resources requisite for its fruition. With envisaged WTP production capacities surging to an impressive 1,000 liters per second, the SPAM’s efficacy in assuaging the burgeoning water crisis assumes paramount significance.
In a concerted bid to secure governmental imprimatur and galvanize interagency collaboration, PDAM Danum Taka is slated to present the comprehensive SPAM proposal to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing on March 25, 2024. The forthcoming deliberations are poised to herald a new chapter in Indonesia’s infrastructural landscape, epitomizing the nation’s resolute commitment to fostering sustainable urban development and ensuring equitable access to potable water resources for all.
