A Healthier Timika: Clean Water Distribution Reaches Residents’ Doorstep

14 July 2025

Timika, July 12, 2025 - After hopes were raised since the start of the construction of Water Treatment Plant (WTP) 430, Kuala Kencana in 2012, the people of Mimika Regency have finally begun to enjoy the results of the commitment of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), the Regional Government (Pemda), and the PUPR Office in improving the quality of life of the community.

Clean water has begun to be distributed directly to the doors of residents in Timika, with a total of 8,000 connections. The target until 2027 is to install 50,000 connections to residents' homes in Timika.

According to the results of the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) of Mimika Regency in 2021, there are four main recommendations that need attention to improve the quality of Public Health in Mimika Regency. One of them is increasing access to clean water.

Launch of Clean Water at Jalan Cendrawasih, SP 2, Route 5.

PTFI’s appreciation to the local government for supporting clean water distribution.

Opening remarks delivered by Johannes Rettob at the start of the event.

The launch took place at SP 2 Route 5 and was connected virtually to several other locations.

The Clean Water Launch was symbolically carried out by turning on a clean water tap.

Signing of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between PTFI and the Mimika Regency Government through 2026.

Group photo with PTFI and the Mimika Regency Government.

Therefore, PTFI is collaborating with the Mimika Regency Government to develop clean water management facilities and provide, install pipelines and distribution networks to residents' homes.

"This is an extraordinary collaboration between our government and PTFI, so that now the people of Mimika can feel the positive impact of this clean water program," said Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob in his remarks at the launch of the clean water distribution program at SP2 Line 5 in Mimika, Friday, July 12, 2025.

"Clean water is important, especially for our new generation," said PTFI Executive Vice President, Sustainable Development, Claus Wamafma. "I believe that in the next ten years, children who are born and enjoy clean water will at least be able to go to college, because clean water is very important for children's growth."

PTFI finished building the Clean Water Treatment Facility in 2019 with an investment of approximately 10 million US dollars or equivalent to Rp150 billion. PTFI then handed over the facility to the Mimika Regency Government in October 2023. The facility has a capacity of 2 clean water treatment units, 2 holding tanks with a total capacity of 2.5 million liters and 4 pump units capable of supplying 200 liters of clean water per second. Meanwhile, the clean water distribution pipeline network that has been built by the Mimika Regency Government has now reached around 13,000 houses. Of this number, around 8,000 houses have been actively supplied with clean water sourced from the clean water treatment facility in Kuala Kencana.

The ongoing cooperation between PTFI and the Mimika Regency Government has resulted in tangible impacts that are now being felt directly by the Mimika Regency Community.

One housewife expressed her gratitude to PTFI and the Mimika Regency Government for providing clean water to help sustain her life, "We used to use engine water taken from our neighbors, but now we have clean water that can be accessed directly in front of our house," said Ariana Weya, a resident of SP 3.

With the same gratitude, Selenda Waker, one of the beneficiaries of clean water also admitted that her life was greatly helped by the distribution of clean water.

The Regent of Mimika Regency hopes that the entire community can work together to maintain all the facilities that have been provided, so that in the future this clean water can be felt evenly by all communities in Mimika Regency.

The launch of this program took place at SP 2 Line 5 in Mimika and was connected by live streaming with several points in other locations such as SP3, Jalan Rambutan, Kelapa Dua Area, Beringin Area, and Jalan Sam Ratulangi who jointly opened the water tap to signify the flow of clean water. Also in attendance were Mimika Vice Regent Emanuel Kemong, Pj Regional Secretary Petrus Yumte, Mimika Forkompinda, Mimika DPO leaders, PTFI VP Government Relations Lenny Josephina, PTFI VP SRM Arief Nasuha, and community representatives from Timika Jaya Village in SP 2 Line 5.

The occasion also saw the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between PTFI and the Mimika Regency Government regarding PTFI's support for the management and operation of the Kuala Kencana Clean Water Treatment Facility until 2026. (Article & Photo: Calista Wiriadinata)