Ground Water Exploitation

1.In your own words, explain what the title of this article means.

It means that people in Jakarta are taking the water that is meant to be shared and using it for themselves. The don't care that other people will have to go without water because of them. They just want water for themselves.

2.According to the article, who is taking a lot of water out of the aquifer?

High-rise buildings. They're taking lots because they house lots of people, and with lots of people they have to take lots of water to get them all clean and not thirsty.

3.If you take a lot of water from the aquifer, what three things happen?

1. Other people have to go without.

2. Salt water will leak into the groundwater

3. Buildings get cracks in them.

4.What is the punishment for taking more water than your permit allows?
The punishment is a 5 million rupiah fine for whoever owns the building.

5.Do you think this punishment will stop people taking too much water from the aquifer? Why?

No, because to owners of large buildings that amount of money is very little. It is about the equivalent to USD$500.

6.Jakarta’s aquifers are being contaminated by sea water. What else is contaminating Jakarta’s groundwater?

When septic tanks are placed too close to wells, the water in the wells will get contaminated by human waste. Studies show that 90% of Jakarta's well water was infected with E-coli.

7.What evidence is there for the additional contamination in number 6?

Lot's of people are getting sick because of the water and others say it smells bad, and looks a browny colour.