Kotabaru Builds a Communal Biofilter Tank

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan 3/1 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Kotabaru district administration has built tank for sewage treatment serves as a mechanical filter to the public or communal biofilter tank.

Head of the Kotabaru Cipta Karya, Human Settlements and Housing Akhmad Rivai here on Tuesday said the facility built in South Baharu, Sub-district of North Pulau Laut, serves to process domestic waste water so as not to pollute the environment.

"This is a new national program and the only one in Kotabaru as a pilot," he said.

The communal biofilter tank is part of efforts to achieve the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2015-2019 in Human Settlements field 100 percent-0 percent-100 percent. It mean 100 per cent access to potable water, zero percent slum, and 100 percent access to proper sanitation.

Through pipelines, wastewater from the houses poured into the tank to be treated before being discharged into the river.

"The waste water that enters the tank is processed through seven stages, so that when discarded no impact at all," he said.

However, from the plan of 50 homes to be connected is currently built only 13 homes. This was due to insufficient funds for budgetary austerity policies of the central government.

To optimize the utilization of the waste water treatment plant, it will seek the installation of pipes to homes that have not been connected.

"The fund can we propose to the central government again or it could also later be financed by local government through the budget," he said.

Management of communal biofilter tank will be handed over to the community by forming a group of administrators.

A local resident, Kasim, welcomed the communal biofilter tank to cope with household sewage directly into the river.