Australian Aid International (AAI) Watsan Program in Central Java achieves all major milestones

Contact: Australian Aid International Indonesian Country Office, 62 274 486920

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 22 /Standard Newswire/ -- Australian Aid International has now achieved all of its major goals in its Water & Sanitation program in Central Java including the cleaning of 1000 wells, deepening 62 wells, constructing 40 sample septic systems, delivering 460 septic system kits, constructing 50 latrine sample systems and delivering 270 latrine kits. Details of this project are described below.

Photo: Devastation along Jalan Imogiri

1. Situation Analysis

The Java earthquake that occurred on the 27 May 2005 severely affected both drinking water supply and sanitation systems in the Jogjakarta and Central Java Provinces . In many areas this resulted in wells collapsing, water sources degrading or being contaminated from adjacent effluent systems. The extent of this damage, along with the existing poor state of water and sanitation in the region, had the potential to contribute to a significant long term impact on the health and hygiene of the community.

AAI had already assisted with the implementation of the District Water Department (PDMA) program which aimed at rehabilitating water supply and sanitation systems to at least pre-earthquake standards, by conducting rehabilitation and repair operations on household water supply and sanitation.

AAI have already built in excess of 2,000 temporary latrines and cleaned and repaired 850 wells in the Pandak Sub-District . Although the emergency phase of the humanitarian relief effort has past and efforts have moved into early recovery, there was an urgent need for permanent works to be commenced so that the earthquake affected population could return to their normal daily routines.

In the early recovery phase AAI already considered longer term sustainable solutions. The rehabilitation of permanent latrine structures and low cost septic systems meet the requirements of sustainability. It was acknowledged however, that although the repair of current well water systems would not meet international standards in regards to safe drinking water, rehabilitation and repair works of wells would have a significant positive impact on providing access to sufficient quantities of water which is vital in the reduction of infectious water borne diseases.

2. Project Description

There are a total of 54,103 people in Pandak and 30,040 in Kretek Sub-Districts of Bantul where AAI conducted its water and sanitation operations. Much of the community was suffering from inadequate water supply and poor sanitation resulting in a further decrease in the overall health and hygiene of the target population. This is a major public health concern during the post disaster period which particularly impacts upon vulnerable groups in the community.

AAI's proposed integrated water and sanitation project included the continuation of AAI 's water and sanitation works in the Bantul District. However, the focus in this program was on a longer term sustainable solution whilst still providing the necessary temporary access to water and sanitation systems through the distribution of family water and sanitation incentive packages.

Sanitation was addressed through the rehabilitation of latrine structures and the installation of low cost septic systems. Families with damaged latrines were provided with an incentive package which includes the materials to ensure suitable permanent framing for walls and roofing, know as the core building structure. In collaboration with community, the community was provided the necessary materials and labour for the cladding of the walls and roof covering for beneficiary privacy and protection. It is anticipated that families who do not have the resources to finish the works permanently could use temporary cladding materials until such time as they were provided with permanent cladding, as the structure to be constructed would have a permanent core frame work.

Additionally, family groups eligible for septic systems have received an incentive package including materials, technical advice, training, and support for the building of low cost septic systems.

The water component of the project was addressed by the temporary cleaning of well water supply systems, and repair to lightly damaged well structures. Additionally, those wells selected for deepening works were deepened to provide sufficient water capacity by experience well deepening teams.

3. Well Cleaning Activities

Well cleaning activities commenced on Monday 4 th December 2006 . The purpose of well cleaning activities was to provide the community with improved water quality as well as with an increase in the quantities of water produced from the wells in order to cater for families' daily needs.

AAI has now achieved its target of cleaning and provide minor repairs to 1000 wells.

4. Well Deepening Activities

AAI identified a minimum of 62 wells within the affected communities that required deepening in order to provide sufficient quantities of water for families which did not have sufficient access to water within their communities. AAI completed the target of 62 wells within 16 days of commencing the well deepening activities. Wells were deepened to an average of 4m to produce water at the lowest dry season levels.

5. Septic Systems

Low cost septic system family incentive packages were provided to identified families who had damaged and ineffective septic systems as a result of the earthquake. AAI commenced the construction of sample septic systems as part of the training for standards of construction. AAI have now distributed 460 complete kits and built 40 sample septic systems.

6. Latrine Structures

The provision of permanent core latrine structure incentive packages with temporary wall cladding has commenced with procurement of all materials and the sub-contracting for columns and roof framing. AAI distributed 270 latrine structure incentive packages to those families identified as requiring latrine structures and built 50 sample systems.

7. Community Meetings

Four community meetings were held in order to follow up socialisation of the WATSAN program in Kecamatan at the Desa level. This enabled AAI to provide more information about the WATSAN program and to organise the time for training and workshops at the Dusun level. These meetings have enabled free exchange of information and discussion about local existing and emerging issues.

8. Training & Workshops

Training and Workshops were conducted and were an effective means of enhancing the socialisation of the WATSAN program. These enable AAI to communicate directly with the community and in particular with beneficiaries.

At the training sessions and workshops members of the community who were to receive packages met in a central location (generally the house of the headman). During the training the headman was present to offer assistance, which included the provision of more information, technical assistance for the field, explaining the criteria for beneficiaries, explaining what materials will be distributed, timings for distribution and the timings for working and undertaking this program. Again, the community participation in the program enhances the acceptance of the program throughout the community.

9. Conclusion

AAI have been working in close collaboration with all key stakeholders including, Jogjakarta-Central Java Community Assistance Program (J-CJCAP) , UNICEF, the PDMA, as well as the community to identify and prioritise those areas that have suffered the most as a result of the May earthquake.

The AAI Water & Sanitation has made a distinct and measurable difference to the earthquake affected population in the Central Java Provinces. AAI is continuing to monitor the community construction of the systems and will be providing physical assistance and incentives over the forthcoming months.