6 June 2018: Indonesia has received a World Bank loan of US$100 million for its National Urban Water Supply Project. The loan will enable the provision of water supply and sanitation to six million people in the country, through promoting access to safe water, and improving the performance of water service providers in under-served urban areas. Indonesia has set a national target of universal access to water supply and sanitation by 2019, ahead of the 2030 deadline for SDG 6.1 on drinking water and SDG 6.2 on sanitation and hygiene.

The project will support the central government in channeling water-related investments to at least 40 local governments and their local government-owned water supply enterprises.

World Bank officials stated that the project will address health issues among the population, such as stunting and malnutrition (SDG 3), reduce inequalities (SDG 10), and provide basic public services that will enable people to gain the full benefits of urbanization (SDG 11). Other benefits will include improvements in human resource capacity at local water utilities, and promotion of Indonesia’s resilience in the face of climate change. Almost half of all Indonesians currently lack access to safe water, and more than 70% rely on potentially contaminated sources. [World Bank Press Release] [Loan Details]