Fresh water is a must in a residential development.. it can increase the marketability of the development. at the same time, it can also be a profit center for the developer. below is the article from Koran Sindo, quoting my statement on the fresh water need.
Water, an absolute need!
Fresh water constitutes one of man’s basic though important needs, beside clothing. Today, fresh water is being used as social and economic commodity.
In a large scale, development of fresh water provider aims to increase piping line service up to 60% of urban population served. In the smaller scale, in the case of unavailability of ground water as fresh water source, piping line becomes very important for the running of a housing complex. Therefore developer has obligation to guarantee fresh water for its residents.
In addition to that, developer needs to build a drainage system to absorb as much water from the surface into the ground. Also, water-absorbing-hole (biopore) is to be built in each house according to the need and space availability. This type of hole has several advantages: absorb water into the soil which ultimately prevents floods, help to supply water during draught season, and reduce dumping of waste into waterway and river.
Fresh water facility in a housing complex will be its additional selling point. Even though the developer does not specifically build the water treatment system, it will be seen committed toward the neighborhood being developed.
According to Mr. Teguh Utomo, Urban planner from University Indonesia, developer possesses means to provide consumable water: start with partnering with National water company (PAM), digging artesian well to be used collectively by its residents, having its own water management system, to allowing its tenants to dig their own well.
But, fresh water supplied by PAM or one dispensed by developer is considered more drinkable than water taken from well. It happens because PAM’s water has gone through a certain process to maintain the good quality. While water from residents’ own well needs to be tested in the laboratory first because it is not safe for consumption. It may be contaminated by bacteria, or by other factors. “So It is safer to use water from water company or developer” said he when contacted by SINDO. “Only developers with vast land-property manage their own water system. They do so to get good quality and drinkable water. They doubt about water quality supplied by PAM because its performance is questionable.
Residents of housing complex which have not access to water piping line from PAM are forced to build their own well by drilling into the ground to a certain level. Although they know that the water obtained from their own well is not good, they continue doing because developer do not offer other alternatives. “The water is solely used for bathing, washing and not for consumption”, he added.
In general, all developers under Indonesian Real Estate (REI) will endeavor to provide good quality water to their buyers. Mr. Teguh Utomo, president of REI said that developers were determined so the residents would have access PAM’s water. But, he reminded that PAM had limited network. As the result not all housing complexes are able to be supplied by PAM. Developers wish for consumable water for their residents. “Water from PAM remains the first choice of developers for drinkable water”, he mentioned.
Property consultant, Steven Tjen, said that water installation built by developer is not intended for the use of its tenant. It could also become another source of income for developers, and the rate is generally higher than PAM’s. But the quality of water is worth the money spent.
He admitted that not all developers are able to afford to build their own water treatment system. It depends on the development strategy of each developer, it’s investment, as well as the size of the property. “Generally, the size of one housing complex should not be less than 20 ha” he mentioned.