TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Victims of Mount Soputan's recent eruption in Southeast Minahasa, North Sulawesi province, are facing dire water shortages. "Residents of the villages of Pangu, Pangu Satu, and Pangu Tiga, are particularly affected," said an official of Southeast Minahasa's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Erick Manaroisong in Ratahan on Wednesday.

According to Erick, the areas' main water supply have been tainted by volcanic ash released by the volcano, which has continued to erupt. "Furthermore, most residents' water reservoirs are not covered - which allows loose volcanic ash to pollute the water, turning it murky brown and rendering it unsafe for human consumption," he said.

Residents are still scrambling for clean water, which is getting harder to get as the eruption continues. "The villages' tap waters have been polluted by the ash, so we can't use it to cook, or even to wash," said Rina Saweho, a resident of Pangu.

Local wells, continued Rina, are no different, as most are left open and exposed to the elements. "The eruption happened so suddenly that we had no time to cover our wells," she said.

Pangu village chief, Jafry Kawulusan said that all three villages are faced with the same problem, because the main water supply comes from the same source - a spring in Rangkuli Forest. "We welcome any aid from whomever's willing to help," he said.

The regent of Southeast Minahasa, James Sumendap, who visited the villages to inspect the local water supply, advises residents to refrain from using the tainted water - both from wells as well as the local tap water supply. "It is unsafe for human consumption - we will ship out clean water to affected villages, and we will continue to do so until water quality across all villages returns to normal," he said.

It is known that BPBD has dispatched one 5,000 litre water tanks for each villages. "These are aids given by South Minahasa BPBD, Tomohon BPBD, and North Sulawesi Provincial BPBD," said the Head of Southeast Minahasa's BPBD, Joppie Mokodaser.

ANTARANEWS