3 Februari 2026

Summary

Indonesia faces significant sanitation challenges, with only 25% of its population having access to adequate systems, such as septic tanks. In urban areas, many people still defecate in open spaces, and poor-quality toilets discourage use. The government, supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and donor agencies, is working to address these issues through a collaborative framework. The goal is to implement scheduled waste management services, standardize septic tanks, and improve wastewater treatment facilities. This effort aims to improve public health, cleanliness, and local economies, ultimately benefiting communities nationwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia has a large population, but faces significant sanitation challenges.
• 😀 Only 25% of Indonesia's population, approximately 62.5 million people, have access to proper sanitation systems.
• 😀 In urban areas, the use of septic tanks is not fully optimized, leading to sanitation issues.
• 😀 Many people still practice open defecation in waterways, drains, and swamps due to poor sanitation infrastructure.
• 😀 Many toilets and public sanitation facilities (MCK) are in poor condition, discouraging their use.
• 😀 Septic tanks are often not maintained, even though they are widely used in homes.
• 😀 Vacuum trucks and sewage treatment plants exist, but many are not fully operational or suitable for use.
• 😀 If sanitation issues are left unaddressed, they could lead to the spread of diseases and even deaths.
• 😀 The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) is committed to assisting local governments in solving sanitation issues.
• 😀 A collaborative framework has been developed to solve sanitation problems, including mapping, joint strategy formulation, and public-private partnerships.
• 😀 Scheduled sludge management (LLTT) is a key solution to improving sanitation, including standardized septic tanks, regular suction, and treatment at sewage treatment plants (IPLT).

Q & A

Why is sanitation considered a serious problem in Indonesia?

Sanitation is a serious problem in Indonesia because a large portion of the population still lacks access to proper sanitation systems, leading to health risks, environmental pollution, and potential disease outbreaks that can result in death.

What percentage of Indonesia's population has access to sanitation systems according to the script?

Only about 25% of Indonesia's population, or approximately 62.5 million people out of 250 million, have access to sanitation systems, mostly in the form of on-site systems using septic tanks.

What sanitation issues are commonly found in urban areas?

In urban areas, many people still practice open defecation in drains, rivers, or swamps, use unfit toilets or public MCK facilities, and have septic tanks that are poorly maintained or unmanaged.

Why are septic tanks in urban areas not functioning optimally?

Many septic tanks are not built to standard specifications, are not regularly maintained, and are not properly managed, reducing their effectiveness in treating waste safely.

What risks arise if urban sanitation problems are left unresolved?

If left unresolved, sanitation problems can lead to the spread of diseases, environmental degradation, and increased mortality among the population.

What role does the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) play in addressing sanitation issues?

The Ministry of PUPR, together with other related ministries and donor institutions, supports local governments by providing guidance, assistance, and a structured framework to solve sanitation problems.

What is meant by the goal of "universal access 2019 100-100"?

The goal refers to achieving 100% access to clean water and 100% access to proper sanitation services by 2019 through coordinated national and local government efforts.

What is the first step in the sanitation problem-solving framework described in the script?

The first step is mapping the sanitation problems through discussions, research, and community surveys to understand existing conditions.

What does the concept of "top down meets bottom up" mean in this framework?

It means combining government policies and direction (top down) with community needs and participation (bottom up) to create effective and sustainable sanitation solutions.

What is LLTT and why is it important?

LLTT stands for Scheduled Fecal Sludge Management, a system that ensures standardized septic tanks, scheduled desludging and transportation, and proper treatment at fecal sludge treatment plants, improving sanitation efficiency and safety.

How does LLTT improve the performance of sanitation infrastructure?

LLTT maximizes the use of desludging trucks, ensures fecal sludge is treated at proper facilities, and helps septic tanks function effectively through regular maintenance.

What benefits can good sanitation systems bring to local governments?

Good sanitation systems can improve public health, create cleaner urban environments, and potentially increase local government revenue through better-managed sanitation services.