The Jakarta and Banten governments have joined forces to manage and develop the Polor Dam on the Angke River for their mutual benefit.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung explained that for the capital, the dam is a critical part of hitting the city’s goal of 100% clean water access by 2029.

"Jakarta is committed to hitting the 100% clean water coverage mark by 2029, and there’s no way we can get there without Banten’s backing," Pramono stated at Jakarta City Hall, Thursday (2/5).

Pramono noted that the Polor Dam will serve as a key raw water source for PAM Jaya’s clean water production. For Banten, the dam doubles as a critical retention basin to manage high water volumes during the rainy season.

He is confident this joint management will be a win-win, helping both regions tackle their respective challenges.

"Banten Governor and I both believe that by teaming up, we can tackle the issues facing both our regions much more effectively," he explained.

Meanwhile, Banten Governor Andra Soni is fully behind the joint management plan for the Polor Dam, noting its potential for a win-win outcome. He explained that the dam is key to holding back high water volumes before they surge into Jakarta.

"Smooth flow from upstream and midstream—in this case, Banten—means a massive influx of water into Jakarta. If that happens during a tidal surge, the water gets bottlenecked because it can’t flow out to sea," he explained.

Andra noted that the dam was originally built for irrigation. However, with farmland now fading away, the dam has been repurposed as a catchment area and a vital raw water source for the local community.

"We’re going to partner up to manage the water resources across these areas, including the Angke River corridor," he concluded.