Strategy Analysis for the Fulfilment of Clean Water Needs Through Piped-Water Service in Metropolitan City during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a strategy analysis to anticipate water scarcity and provide recommendations for the fulfillment of clean water needs through the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) piped-water service in a metropolitan city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several efforts have been made by PDAM, such as uprating the existing water treatment plant (WTP) and planning to build new ones. The analysis covered the piped-water service target in 2021, customer water consumption, PDAM production efficiency, and the non-revenue water (NRW) in the city before and during the pandemic. Subsequently, the existing strategy and targets were analyzed based on the comparison results. The outcomes would serve as the basis for the recommendations to overcome water scarcity. The results showed that there was an increase in customer water consumption during the pandemic by 5% (147 L/person/day) from the normal condition. Considering the 35% piped-water service coverage target set in 2021, the existing capacity of PDAM has not been able to meet customer needs both under normal condition and during the increase in consumption. Based on the results, technical recommendations include uprating the WTP capacity up to 2.13 times, reducing the water loss by 25%, and utilizing backup unit system to prevent disturbance to water distribution for 24 hours. These recommendations must be synchronized with the Drinking Water Security Plan (RPAM) in the city.

Keywords

• clean water supply
• covid-19 pandemic
• drinking water distribution
• piped-water service
• water scarcity