Bali’s severe water crisis cannot be denied. Water experts and environmental activists are increasingly adamant that the change in land use from natural jungle to farming and other pursuits must stop to conserve the Island’s freshwater supply.
A recent limited participation discussion was held under the topic “The Bali Water Crisis. What Must be Done. What is the solution?” on Thursday, 27 March 2025. At that gathering, many called for unified action to persuade the Government to end the growing exploitation of forest lands, a leading cause of the water crisis.
A sampling of the experts attending the panel discussions and what they had to say taken from Beritabali.com:
Prof. Dr. Ir. Ni Luh Kartini, M.S:
An environmental expert and leading professor in organic agriculture at Udayana University said that the remaining fresh water supply in Bali’s lakes has reached a critical state due to deforestation and changes in the functional use of jungle and forest lands near the affected lakes.
“Bali’s lakes are shrinking as water supplies diminish. All the lakes are experiencing sedimentation. This is caused by uncontrolled deforestation and poor forest conversion around the lakes. If this is left unaddressed, we will lose our water sources in the future,” Dr. Kartini said.
I Wayan Aksara:
An environmental activist representing BumiKita, Wayan Aksara, says a moratorium is needed on conversion of jungle lands to preserve at least a minimum of 30% jungle cover.
“I recommend a moratorium on changing the usage status of jungle areas. A jungle cover of 30% is the minimum level needed. It should be more than 30%. If not, the clean water crisis in Bali will worsen,” said Aksara.
“Saya usulkan moratorium alih fungsi hutan. Tutupan lahan Bali 30 persen itu batas minimal, harusnya lebih dari itu. Jika tidak, maka krisis air bersih di Bali akan semakin parah,” ungkapnya.
Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gede Sedana, MMA:
The Rector of the Dwijendra Denpasar University in Denpasar, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gede Sedana, MMA, emphasized that forest conservation is an integral part of Bali’s development vision. Strict supervision of village forest regulations is essential to maintain the sustainability of water resources.
Dr. I Wayan Mertha, S.E, M.Si:
The former traditional community leader (Bendesa) of the Kedonganan Community, Dr. I Wayan Mertha, is spotlighting the imbalance between the supply and demand of fresh water.
Dr. Mertha also questions the impact of companies using groundwater on environmental sustainability. Asking: “What is the profit derived from companies that exploit groundwater?”
Prof. Arya Thanaya:
A senior lecturer in Civil Engineering at Udayana University, Bali, recommends that the Government invest heavily in Sewage Treatment facilities (Instalasi Pengolahan Air Limba – IPAL) to reduce the demand for clean water.
Dwi Atmika:
The Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) chairman recommends planting coffee in jungle ares to conserve fresh water. “Planting coffee has a positive histological effect and retains groundwater.
Dr. Ir. I Wayan Jondra, M.Si:
Dr. Wayan Jondra, the chairman of Paiketan Krama Bali – a social organization dedicated to protecting Bali’s natural environment, customs, culture, and traditions – blames weak enforcement of rules and regulations for Bali’s diminishing fresh water supply. Jondra is very critical of the passive demeanor of the local enforcement agency (Satpol PP) in taking enforcement action against zoning rule violators.
Ida Rsi Wisesanatha
Ida Rsi Wisesanatha is a mentor and advisor to Paiketan Krama Bali. Wisesanatha underlines the importance of involving influencers and community leaders in Government to ensure the success of water conservation.
The seminar has helped lobby the Government to take urgent steps to alleviate the worsening water crisis in Bali.
Related Links
PACTO DMC Supports Equitable Water Access
Moratorium on Development: 2 or 10 Years?
Support Grows for 2-Year Bali Moratorium
Time for Moratorium on S. Bali Development?
BTB-GIPI Supports Bali Hotel Moratorium
Megawati Wants Bali Hotel Moratorium
Bali to Limit Number of Foreign Tourists?
South Bali’s Worsening Water Crisis
Denpasar, Bali Water Works Under Pressure
Bali Mountain Lakes Running Out of Water
Biosystems Group Water and Waster Water Solutions for Bali and the World
