Lakes Water Not Worth for Taps

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan 18/1 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Two lakes of former diamond mines in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, are assessed not worthy for raw water for local government owned taps water company (PDAM).

Regional Secretary of Banjarbaru Said Abdullah here on Wednesday said that water in Lake Seran and Lake Caramin still tasted sour, so it does not deserve to be raw water for taps.

"We've tasted the water from Lake Seran and Lake Caramin. Both are still sour, so not worthy as raw water for the taps, especially PDAM Intan Banjar," he said.

According to Said, who specifically visited Lake Caramin accompanied by a number of journalists, Wednesday (18/1), the acidity of the water at formerexcavated diamond mines area is quite high.

He said, although he only tasted the water in the lakes and unexplored by the laboratory, but it is not worth to be processed as raw water for the taps.

The sour taste of the water, he estimated, is likely came from the former rainwater sedimented in an excavated area of the diamond mines.

"The volume of rain water sedimented in large quantities can not be decomposed into alkaline and normal, so it is still sour in the tongue when the water tested," he said.

His visit to the lake was also to answer the statement of Mayor Banjarbaru Nadjmi Adhani that PDAM Intan Banjar might utilized lake water.

According to him, the municipal government could not take over the management of the two lakes which arenow become new tourist attractions that attract visitors from various areas.

"The land is still owned by PT Galuh Cempaka who holds a contract of work until 2034, so that the local government could not take over unless already handed over by the company," he said.