Indonesian and Australian Researchers Create Tool to Boost Water and Sanitation Resilience
Depok, The Gulf Observer: A collaborative team of Indonesian and Australian researchers has developed an innovative tool aimed at evaluating and improving the resilience of drinking water supply and community-based sanitation systems, known locally as “PAMSIMAS,” in response to climate change. The researchers hail from the University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the Center for Regulation Policy and Governance (CRPG).
UI researchers Cindy Rianti Priadi and Sucipta Laksono were instrumental in this research project, which culminated in the creation of the PAMSIMAS system.
Speaking in Depok on Monday, Laksono highlighted the pressing need for concrete actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on human life. He emphasized the importance of securing water reservoirs and adapting materials, pipes, and pumps to climate challenges.
In a recent presentation on the PAMSIMAS initiative, Laksono introduced the Rural Water Supply Climate-Resilient Monitoring Tool (RWS-CRMT), a monitoring device developed between September 2023 and May 2024. The RWS-CRMT is designed to assess the resilience of rural water supplies in the face of climate change.
The tool has been tested by 100 drinking water supply and sanitation facility-managing groups (KPSPAMS) across 14 provinces in Indonesia, including Central Java, Gorontalo, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatra, Yogyakarta, West Java, Riau, Lampung, West Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.
Laksono underscored that for Indonesia to achieve climate resilience and economic transformation, it is essential to maintain a productive and healthy population, which hinges significantly on the availability of clean water.
Recognizing the critical importance of water sustainability, Indonesia recently hosted the 10th World Water Forum in Bali under the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity.” The forum brought together participants to discuss vital issues such as water for humans and nature, water security and prosperity, disaster risk reduction and mitigation, governance cooperation and hydro diplomacy, sustainable water finance, and knowledge and innovation.
The development of the PAMSIMAS and RWS-CRMT tools marks a significant step forward in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of Indonesia’s water supply and sanitation systems, demonstrating the country’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
