Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan – September 2024 – PT Borneo Indobara (BIB), a subsidiary of PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk, as a coal mining company in Kalimantan, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, officially inaugurated the Andaru Potable Water Treatment Plant (WTP) on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Banjarsari Village, Angsana District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, Kalimantan. The facility utilizes raw water sourced from the former Andaru mining pit, offering a solution to the region’s drinking water challenges and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6 on clean water and sanitation.

The inauguration ceremony was marked by a ribbon-cutting led by BIB’s COO, R. Utoro, alongside representatives from the local government and village heads. The event was also attended by stakeholders including the local health office, public works department, and military representatives. The WTP aims to increase the availability of quality drinking water for surrounding communities, particularly during the dry season when natural water sources often run dry.

This project is part of the second pillar of BIB’s CSR program, which focuses on health and sanitation. Currently, the Andaru Potable Water Plant serves two villages–Banjarsari and Mekar Jaya–and is planned to expand to eight more villages, including Karang Indah and Sebamban Lama, with a target of reaching 18 villages by next year.

The WTP draws raw water from a 34-hectare former mining pit with a capacity of up to 8 million m³. This water is processed into potable water with a production capacity of 1 liter per second, or 3,600 liters per hour. Branded as Potable Water Andaru and carrying the tagline “Flowing Freshness, Refreshing Lives”, the initiative reflects BIB’s hope of bringing a better quality of life to local residents.

Distribution is carried out via water tank trucks and direct pipeline connections to households. Currently, 1,600 household connections (SR) have been installed in Banjarsari and Mekar Jaya. Management of the WTP is entrusted to the Joint Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDesma) of Banjarsari and Mekar Jaya, which is committed to developing the facility into a profitable village enterprise that boosts the local economy.

According to BIB COO R. Utoro, Potable Water Andaru is premium drinking water with a pH of 8.6. This alkaline water is believed to offer health benefits such as neutralizing body acidity and improving metabolism. “We want to give the community the very best—not just safe drinking water, but high-quality drinking water,” said R. Utoro.

The village heads of Mekar Jaya, Joko Wiyono, and Banjarsari, Sutarno, welcomed the project’s development, pledging continued innovation in management, including improvements in packaging and competitive pricing. “We will continue striving to make Potable Water Andaru accessible to all residents at an affordable price,” said Sutarno.

Beyond providing quality drinking water, the Andaru Potable Water Project delivers positive economic impacts through BUMDesma’s local management. It also helps reduce waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid caused by unsafe drinking water.

However, the future challenge lies in ensuring the sustainability of WTP operations. BUMDesma must continue to strengthen its management capacity—both in human resources and technology—while also promoting public awareness on maintaining water source cleanliness.

Potable Water Andaru represents new hope for the people of Tanah Bumbu. With this facility, residents gain access not only to quality drinking water but also to get the sustainable mining benefits.

BIB has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for communities around its mining operations. Potable Water Andaru is expected to continue delivering wide-reaching benefits for the people of Tanah Bumbu, Kalimantan.