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Jakarta’s water may or may not be contaminated by the gastric bacteria E. coli, depending on who’s speaking. After a water provider complained that Jakarta’s water source was heavily polluted, the city administration has claimed that it can “guarantee” the capital’s tap water is clean.

“PDAM Jaya [the city water utility], working with Paljya and Aetra, took random samples to check water safety,” Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said at City Hall on Friday. “The results were all good, so we can be certain that [the] tap water is safe.”

The water is free of E. coli, the government claims, because two private operators treat it before it leaves their plants in accordance with clean water standards.

Fauzi’s reassurances followed a complaint by Bekasi water provider Tirta Bhagasasi on Thursday that the water source used to produce tap water for Bekasi and Jakarta was heavily contaminated with human waste, as indicated by a high E. coli level.

The Bekasi River was used as a dumping place for septic tank pumping businesses, Tirta Bhagasasi’s director of water supply, Wahyu Prihantono, said. The illegal dumping occurs at night, and so far officials seem unable or unwilling to prevent it.

On Sept. 19, Bekasi’s Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) revealed that several key measures of environmental health in the Bekasi River were far below standard, and that the river had experienced fish kills.

The BPLH’s Dadang Hidayat said the water was significantly acidic at about pH 4.6, with a high biological and chemical oxygen demand — a pollution indicator.

Besides the organic material dumped in the river, he suspected “rogue factories” disposed of chemical waste in the river.

The governor tried to play down the news. Fauzi said the BPLH must share exactly where the samples were taken to ascertain whether the area was used as a source by water companies.

He said his administration would study the results, but that contamination need not be a source for concern.

“Even if the raw water source is contaminated with bacteria, it will be processed before it is distributed through the pipe network to family homes,” he said.

Fauzi added, however, that although tap water leaves the water plants in safe drinking condition, residents should still boil it before drinking.

PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) spokeswoman Meyritha Maryanie said the firm used chlorine as a sterilizing agent so water makes it to consumers bacteria-free.

“In regard to government health regulations, we fulfill standards by 100 percent,” Meyritha said.

“Our processing plant in Pejompongan uses pretty advanced technology.”