The water crisis in Magelang has severely affected the region. This situation has triggered concern among people. People see water as essential to their livelihoods. This is especially true in Magelang, where most people work in agriculture. Moreover, water is needed in each household for daily needs.
As of October 8, 2026, reported water shortages have affected 80 hamlets across 45 villages in 13 subdistricts of Magelang Regency, disrupting access to clean water for households, schools, Islamic boarding schools, and places of worship.
The local government, together with Baznas, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and PDAM Tirta Gemilang, has provided emergency water supplies, water tanks, and financial assistance to address the crisis.
However, officials have emphasised that water distribution alone cannot solve the recurring problem. Starting in 2027, the government plans to coordinate long-term solutions across regional agencies, including building boreholes, water storage facilities, pipelines, and community-based water supply systems.
Authorities will also map areas lacking clean water sources, assess local water needs, and explore technological solutions with universities. Through these integrated efforts, the government aims to meet immediate water demands during the 2026 dry season while reducing the risk of future water shortages.
Water Harvesting As a Solution to Water Crisis
In a tropical region like Magelang, a common issue is a lack of awareness about the importance of water storage. Without water, many things in life can be affected. Yet, in a typical year, water is usually available. The rainy season fills many water reservoirs. The water well is always filled with enough groundwater. Therefore, people feel there is no urgency when water stocks drop abruptly.
Climate change is the main issue behind this situation. The most significant change is that the dry season is now shorter, and the intensity is concerning. Because less water is coming in, the percentage absorbed into groundwater is limited.
At the same time, water needs are rocketing. Some new industrial areas in Magelang use thousands of gallons of water, making the already limited supply even scarcer due to different dynamics.
The issue is that not all the water that falls to the land is absorbed by the soil and becomes groundwater. One idea is to intervene in this process by harvesting water from rain. After people collect rainwater, they process and filter it so they can use it to water plants, take baths, or do other household activities.
Rainwater harvesting is considered efficient, and we have enough technology to ensure the water is clean. Yet, one issue remains: rain can also be polluted. Nowadays, much rainwater is contaminated by chemicals from industrial pollution. Common filtration can kill germs and remove some materials. Yet, rainwater chemicals pose a different kind of problem.
Exploring Grey Water
There is a strong motivation to use grey water. Compared to black water, grey water is more reliable. For context, black water is heavily contaminated by human excreta, organic materials, and other biological content that is hard to recycle. Meanwhile, grey water comes from dishwashers and washing machines.
Removing micro-organisms or biologically toxic material from black water is risky and has a low success rate. Meanwhile, grey water contains some chemicals that can be removed with coarse screening or a lint trap that can suspend relatively large materials. It is also easier if people support the program by using biodegradable materials that will not harm water quality once released into open water. By using greywater as a reserve water provider, people can use water efficiently during a long drought.
Greywater can provide water for plants or non-drinking activities such as bathing or cleaning kitchen utensils. Meanwhile, for human consumption, water can be imported from different regions, especially from Kaliurang, which has a productive spring that can help provide drinking water.
By implementing various strategies, the water crisis can be managed.
