The Jiva Svastha Nusantara Foundation is encouraging the public to become more critical consumers, choosing not only based on price or distance, but also considering the legality and hygiene aspects of their regular water refill depots.
Surya Putra, Head of Legal Affairs and Policy Advocacy at the Jiva Svastha Nusantara Foundation, said that his organization is encouraging increased public awareness to not only choose water that is physically clear but also ensure its legal, technical, and hygienic aspects.
"We want the public to no longer fall victim to negligent depot practices. If all consumers start to be critical, then business owners will be motivated to improve themselves. This is about building a culture of safe and equitable drinking water," he said in a statement.
In this regard, his party held a public education activity at the Kalibata Subdistrict office, South Jakarta as part of the national campaign Healthy Indonesia Starts from Quality Water 2025, which focuses on increasing public literacy regarding drinking water quality and the risks of contamination.
On that occasion, Surya added that the use of branded gallons by depots was a violation of the law.
This practice not only confuses consumers, but also violates the technical provisions in the Minister of Industry and Trade Decree No. 651 of 2004.
"Depots cannot use gallons with trade labels. They must provide plain gallons," he said.
According to him, if people bring branded gallons to the depot, it has the potential to be dangerous because it can give the impression that the water inside is branded water.
He also reminded that depot operators are a vulnerable point in the refillable drinking water distribution chain. Unhygienic operator behavior can be a major source of contamination.
Therefore, the community must start acting as additional supervisors in ensuring the quality of the water they consume.
Surya encourages the public to actively ask depot owners about the latest laboratory test results, the validity period of the Hygiene Sanitation Certificate (SLHS), and the operator's hygiene habits.
"This isn't just about low prices. It's about family health. Consumers have a right to know and a right to demand that depots comply with regulations," he said.
Wuhgini, a young expert sanitarian from the South Jakarta Health Agency, stated that many depot owners still believe they have a permit when they have only reached the NIB (National Business License) stage. However, the NIB is only the initial step and does not yet include health permits.
