Pontianak’s municipal water utility has advised residents not to drink PDAM-supplied water temporarily after saltwater intrusion increased salinity in the Kapuas River during the dry season. The utility says customers may still use the water for washing and sanitation. Officials monitor quality, adjust treatment and prepare reserve supplies locally.

PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—Pontianak’s municipal water utility (Perumda) Tirta Khatulistiwa has temporarily advised Pontianak residents not to use PDAM-supplied water for drinking. This follows saltwater intrusion, which increased salinity in the Kapuas River, the city’s principal raw-water source.

The warning applies to consumption rather than the entire water service. Residents may continue using PDAM-supplied water for bathing, washing, household cleaning and sanitation, according to the city-owned utility.

For drinking and cooking, households should use water that meets applicable health standards until officials declare conditions safe.

Perumda President Director Abdullah said prolonged dry weather had reduced the Kapuas River’s flow. This allowed seawater to travel farther upstream and increase the salt content at raw-water intake points.

“Rising salinity is a natural phenomenon that commonly occurs during prolonged dry seasons. When the Kapuas River’s flow declines, seawater intrusion can move farther upstream, increasing salt levels in the raw-water source. This condition creates challenges for the water-treatment process,” Abdullah said.

The warning follows an earlier alert from the Pontianak administration. On July 15, Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono said more than three weeks without substantial rain could lower the river’s discharge. It could increase salinity during high tides.

The administration identified July through September as a critical dry-season period, according to the Pontianak municipal government.

BMKG’s national assessment also forecast the peak of Indonesia’s 2026 dry season between July and September. Some parts of Kalimantan will enter peak conditions in July. BMKG said much of the country would experience below-normal rainfall.

Perumda has intensified laboratory testing and monitored raw-water quality around the clock. It has also adjusted treatment chemicals and regulated production capacity according to salinity conditions. The company will continue publishing updates as conditions change.

Pontianak has also prepared the Penepat intake as an alternative freshwater source. The system can pump approximately 500 liters per second over 21 kilometers to the Imam Bonjol treatment plant. The Pontianak administration says operating the system requires substantial expenditure.

The response matters because Perumda’s network covers approximately 90.5% of Pontianak. Its facilities have an installed capacity of 2,358 liters per second, according to official municipal data published in May 2026.

Mayor Edi urged residents to conserve water and rely solely on verified information.

“The Pontianak City Administration fully supports all technical measures taken by Perumda Tirta Khatulistiwa to maintain services for residents. We urge the public to remain calm, avoid unverified information, follow official updates and use water carefully and responsibly while salinity remains high,” Edi said.

Residents should prepare safe drinking-water reserves without panic buying and await official confirmation before resuming consumption of PDAM-supplied water.