Home / Environment / Taps Run Dry: Indonesia's Digital Hub Faces Water Crisis
Taps Run Dry: Indonesia's Digital Hub Faces Water Crisis
13 Oct
Summary
- Residents protested for water while data centers seemed unaffected.
- Batam's water utility is working to improve supply.
- Firms opening data centers may need to build desalination plants.
Batam island residents have expressed anger over prolonged water shortages, with protesters storming a data center compound demanding access to water. Approximately 300 villagers reported no water supply for three months, contrasting with the perceived ample water available for data centers. Concerns are rising that homes are being deprived to meet the demands of the burgeoning digital hub.
Authorities are working to address the water supply issues, with the water utility stating efforts are underway to improve delivery. However, the agency overseeing trade and industry attributed the scarcity to a dry spell and denied claims of water diversion to data centers. Following earlier protests, new data center firms are now being required to construct their own desalination plants instead of relying on public reservoirs.
Experts highlight the scarcity of reliable data on water consumption by Indonesian data centers, as companies often treat this information as proprietary. There is a call for greater transparency and responsible development, ensuring that digital infrastructure growth does not disproportionately burden local communities and their essential resources. Without such measures, escalating tensions are anticipated.
