Jakarta. The East Kalimantan Regional Infrastructure and Settlement Center (BPPW) assures that the clean tap water supply issues in the new capital, Nusantara (IKN), will be completed by 2025.

Rozali Indra Saputra, Head of BPPW East Kalimantan, said that ready-to-drink tap water has been supplied to the Government Center Core Area (KIPP) of IKN since 2024. The government is now formulating a strategy to improve clean water services for surrounding communities by 2025.

“The drinking water project for Nusantara began in 2024. We will develop an implementation plan for the areas around the core area in 2025,” Rozali said on Thursday.

Previously, clean water supply issues had been a concern for some residents in Sepaku District, Penajam Paser Utara Regency. In June 2024, President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Sepaku Semoi Dam in Sepaku District, filled with water from the Tengin and Sepaku rivers.

However, despite its inauguration, the Sepaku Semoi Dam has not yet provided clean water for the surrounding communities, serving only as a raw water source for Nusantara. This has led to complaints from residents, particularly in Sepaku Subdistrict, who continue to face difficulties in accessing clean water.

In response, BPPW East Kalimantan confirmed that the water supply issue will be resolved by 2025, once several new water treatment plants (IPA) are completed.

"In 2025, we will also build water treatment plants to serve IKN and surrounding areas, including Balikpapan City," Rozali added.

At Nusantara, tourists are already enjoying the clean water supply, with many sampling it directly from taps installed at various points. Drinking tap water is not a common practice in most parts of Indonesia.