Jakarta Tightens Water Use Regulations to Combat Land Subsidence
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has issued a new regulation aimed at controlling resource consumption, with a specific focus on groundwater usage. Governor Regulation No. 5 of 2026 on Energy and Water Efficiency in Buildings was officially launched on Friday, , in Central Jakarta.
The regulation comes as Jakarta faces a growing crisis of land subsidence, largely attributed to the excessive extraction of groundwater. Governor Anung emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “One of the main problems in Jakarta is land subsidence, which occurs when groundwater is consumed or used irresponsibly.”
According to Governor Anung, the new regulation will prioritize strict monitoring of buildings to ensure compliance with the groundwater prohibition. “First, we will now strictly monitor whether any buildings are still using groundwater, as its use is already prohibited,” he said. The Jakarta Provincial Government intends to exert direct control over energy management and water use within the city’s buildings.
While details regarding specific points of the regulation and potential sanctions for violations have not yet been released, the move signals a significant shift in Jakarta’s approach to water resource management. The regulation also addresses water consumption mechanisms to promote more efficient and controlled use.
The Jakarta government-owned water utility company, PAM Jaya, currently serves approximately 81 percent of the city’s clean water needs, including key buildings. Authorities are working to expand clean water services to cover all areas of Jakarta, reducing reliance on groundwater sources.
The building sector is a major contributor to Jakarta’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the total. This new regulation is seen as a critical legal framework to enforce sustainability standards across the city and contribute to Jakarta’s transition to a low-carbon city.
The move to restrict groundwater use reflects a broader pattern of groundwater depletion affecting major urban centers in Indonesia. The scale of the crisis necessitates a national approach to aquifer security, according to experts.
Governor Anung stated that the regulation was developed through a participatory process involving all stakeholders, underscoring a collaborative effort to address the city’s water challenges. The implementation of this regulation is expected to be a key step in mitigating land subsidence and ensuring a sustainable water supply for Jakarta’s growing population.
