TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At least four out of five rivers existing in the capital city of Maluku Province, Ambon, is contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a level exceeding the quality standard stated in the Government Regulation No.82/2011.
“Based on the laboratory analysis, the four [contaminated] rivers include Wai Batu Gajah, Wai Batu Gantung and Wai Batu Merah,” said the Head of Maluku Environmental Control Agency (Bapedal) Fauzan Chatib on Friday.
The contamination resulted from people’s activities of throwing wastes into the river and cutting from the trees upstream.
“It is time to build Waste Treatment Installation (IPAL) in the settlements so people will not throw their wastes directly to the river, thus contamination can be suppressed,” Fauzan said as reported by Antara News.
The laboratory test recommended by the Environment Ministry on Wai Bomaki in West Maluku Tenggara Regency and Wai Siah, in Rumahkay village, West Seram Regency has proven that the rivers are not contaminated.
“We will test Wai Ruhu and other rivers in Maluku according to the Environment Ministry recommendation using the APBN (state budget) or Maluku APBD (regional budget).”
ANTARA | ELLA SYAFPUTRI