Jakarta. The Jakarta Provincial Government has introduced a new regional regulation on domestic wastewater management, targeting the 5 percent of the city’s population, roughly around 500,000 people, that still practice open defecation.

Robby Dwi Mariansyah, Head of Domestic Wastewater Management at Jakarta's Water Resources Agency, noted that since 2013, domestic wastewater management has been guided solely by waste management regulations. The new regulation is expected to address public health and environmental quality more comprehensively.

The regulation aims to eliminate open defecation while also addressing issues like stunting and environmental pollution. “Our goal is to eradicate open defecation, which will also help reduce stunting rates and environmental contamination,” Mariansyah said.

The regulation, which includes 18 chapters and 68 articles, will be forwarded to the Home Affairs Ministry for further review.

Misan Samsuri, Vice Chairman of the Jakarta Regional Representative Council (DPRD), confirmed the approval of the draft. Pantas Nainggolan, Chairman of the Regional Regulation Formation Agency, explained that the regulation responds to ongoing open defecation issues that contribute to water pollution and disease transmission.

Nainggolan emphasized that the regulation will mandate the development of necessary infrastructure for effective domestic wastewater management.

“This regulation will enable the government to enforce proper sanitation practices, provided that the required infrastructure is in place,” Nainggolan said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +