The Bojonegoro Rainwater Harvesting Movement: An Inspirational Solution to the National Water Crisis

The availability of clean water significantly impacts public health, including issues such as stunting, diarrhea, typhoid, and chronic diseases such as cholera. High water prices will further burden household finances and increase poverty. The challenge is that 33 million Indonesians, or approximately 8.28% of households, lack access to safe drinking water (BPS: 2024).

Groundwater, which supplies 80% of the nation's clean water needs, is becoming increasingly scarce and increasingly polluted by river intrusion, household and industrial waste, and seawater intrusion. These factors are further exacerbated by deforestation, rainwater that is not infiltrated and utilized, as well as excessive plastic use and poor waste management. This threatens the environment's ability to support human life and places a significant burden on lower-income communities.

Bojonegoro Regency has become a prime example of water scarcity: flooding during the rainy season and water scarcity during the dry season. In September 2024, 92 villages across 23 sub-districts in Bojonegoro were reported to be experiencing clean water shortages, affecting more than 41,000 people. (Report: Bojonegoro Regional Disaster Management Agency).

Meanwhile, a report from PDAM Bojonegoro shows that in 2024 groundwater reserves experienced a drastic decline of up to 40% compared to the previous year.

Fundamental solutions for water for all, such as improving the natural environment, increasing groundwater levels, and modernizing the provision and distribution of clean water to the public, must be implemented sustainably. However, a quick solution is needed to face next year's dry season, while still ensuring it can be used for the next dry season.

Ademos, and the Mannah Indonesia Foundation in collaboration with the Vocational School of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) offer a “quick win” solution through the RAINWATER HARVESTING MOVEMENT as a source of healthy and sustainable clean water, which has been proven to be safe, healthy and cheap.

According to Ademos Chairman Ahmad Shodiqurrosyad, this strategy is very possible to implement in Bojonegoro, considering the average annual rainfall is 2,000 to 3,000 mm.

Arsyad also added that rainwater harvesting only requires simple infrastructure such as gutters, storage tanks, and a rainwater filtration system.

This Rainwater Harvesting Movement is driven to reduce the impact of drought in Bojonegoro in a sustainable manner because it provides concrete solutions for local communities starting from the household level because it can be done safely, easily and cheaply.

Rainwater Harvesting Movement Video Challenge

As an initial step to increase public awareness through the rainwater harvesting movement, Ademos together with the Mannah Foundation also held a digital campaign challenge through a rainwater harvesting movement video competition.

This competition is open to anyone and registration is free. Ademos and Mannah encourage everyone to participate, hoping to raise public awareness and change behaviors about wise water management and rainwater abundance.

For your information, registration for this competition is still open from January 1-9, 2025, with the competition period starting from January 10-20, 2025. People who are interested in participating can visit the official social media on Instagram and TikTok @panenair_bojonegoro.