The Indonesian government has a grand vision to achieve 'Indonesia Emas' 2045. Effective and efficient water management is necessary for human development, sustainable economic growth, and equitable development, which are the foundation for achieving these aspirations.

However, Indonesia still faces challenges regarding limited household access to drinking water. Currently, the availability of safe drinking water is only at 91.08 percent, with secure access to drinking water standing at a mere 11.8 percent. The inadequate access to safe and secure water could hinder the realization of the grand vision of 'Golden Indonesia' by 2045 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Recognizing the serious impact of this issue, the Indonesian government issued Presidential Instruction of the Republic of Indonesia (Inpres) Number 1 of 2024 regarding the Acceleration of Drinking Water Supply. This aims to fulfill the basic rights of the people and improve the quality of public health.

Optimization of water infrastructure

The first strategic step taken by the Indonesian government through this Drinking Water inpres is to optimize the existing water resources infrastructures. 

Geographically, Indonesia has a significant water surplus.  However, the distribution of this surplus water, whether from natural sources like rivers or reservoirs such as dams upstream, is hindered due to the lack of piped network access. It is this idle capacity condition that the Drinking Water Inpres seeks to address.

These efforts need to be expedited by constructing piped networks with house connections to communities. This must also be accompanied by regular maintenance and rehabilitation of water infrastructure.

Nowadays, the government has completed and operated 42 dams across Indonesia. Some of these reservoirs, such as Cipanas Dam, Karian Dam, and Jatigede Dam in Java Island, are intended to meet the water needs of the communities. 

Socio-economic transformation

This Presidential Instruction also plays a strategic role in creating social transformation through the prevention of stunting at the community level. The availability of drinking water is ab important factor in stunting prevention, apart from the provision of the nutritional needs of pregnant women and infants.

Providing water through piped networks to households and public facilities can improve the quality of water consumed by the people. In this regard, the role Government and Regional Water Utility Companies (PDAM) as infrastructure operators is crucial in maintaining the quality of piped water.

Therefore, the Presidential Instruction on Drinking Water can also act as a driver of economic transformation by providing operationalization, maintenance, and rehabilitation training (OPOR) on water infrastructures to local governments, enabling them to manage water effectively and efficiently.

Another important aspect of the strategic importance of the Presidential Instruction on Drinking Water is to open up opportunities for the Central Government to integrate all piped water service tariffs into a single national tariff. This opportunity arises because water is a vital element for people's lives.

The political process of the 10th World Water Forum

The Presidential Instruction on Drinking Water is an essential policy example in sustainable water resource management. This regulation underscores the importance of policy stakeholders in determining the direction of development. Therefore, Indonesia is advancing a political process in the 10th World Water Forum scheduled for May 18–25.

Politically, a strong governance framework and policies are necessary to ensure efficient and equitable water management and distribution. The political forum at the 10th World Water Forum will consist of meetings at the level of heads of state, parliamentarians, ministers, local governments, and river basin managers.

The 10th World Water Forum will be a great opportunity to discuss various issues related to water management. Delegates and heads of state will learn from each other's best practices in preserving water resources in their countries, such as Indonesia with its Drinking Water Supply regulation.