16 April 2025
Kawasi Spring plays a vital role in meeting the clean water needs of local residents. It is located in one of the small valleys, precisely on the lower slope of the smelter building owned by Harita Nickel at the Obi Island Site. Despite being in the middle of industrial operations, Kawasi spring is still flowing and maintaining its quality.
To ensure the spring is safe as a source of raw water, Harita Nickel conducts periodic monitoring of a number of indicators such as pH levels, water temperature, turbidity to oxygen levels in water. As a result, all of these indicators meet quality standards.
Based on the latest results of testing water samples conducted by an independent laboratory, it was found that the pH is within safe limits (7.87), very low levels of Chromium Hexavalent (Cr-VI) (<0.005 mg/l), and adequate oxygen content.
Prof. Dr. M. Janib Achmad, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science at Khairun University, stated that test results indicate the water quality from the Kawasi spring is in reasonably good condition. "For various domestic uses, water should have a pH above 7—higher levels are even more favorable. Elevated acidity levels can promote algae growth," he explained.
Meanwhile, according to him, if the Hexavalent Chromium (Cr-VI) is still low, it is very safe. Usually this Cr level is related to the soil layer because almost every soil contains chrome, if it exceeds the limit it is dangerous. “This spring water is still suitable for drinking, the community uses it in Kawasi, but indeed the community often complains that there was sediment that covered the spring water,” he said.
One of the residents of Kawasi Village, Yolius Langkodi, confirmed that the Kawasi spring continues to be used by locals as a primary source of raw water.
"For our daily needs, we collect water from the Kawasi spring," he said.
Yolius explained that the spring has existed for a long time. In the past, people referred to it as air babunyi because its sound could be heard all the way to the settlement. Since the company's presence, he added, water from the Kawasi spring has been channeled through pipes directly to residents' homes.
"Access to clean water is now much more convenient. All residents draw their water from the Kawasi spring. This has been made possible thanks to the company’s efforts," he stated, while also urging Harita Nickel to continue protecting the Kawasi spring so that it remains a sustainable resource for the community.
Meanwhile, Harita Nickel's Health & Safety Environment Director, Tonny Gultom, said the company is committed to carrying out responsible integrated mining operations by addressing environmental and social aspects. This includes ensuring sustainability of the Kawasi spring which is currently used by residents for raw water sources and also other springs that are used for the company's operations, namely Lake Karo and Lake Loji.
“To maintain several vital water sources, the company carries out reclamation to rehabilitate post-mining land, plant trees along the watershed, conduct regular water quality monitoring and manage mine runoff water so that the released water does not pollute the environment,” he explained.
Watch Kawasi resident Yolius Langkodi share how the village spring brings clean, clear water straight to their homes in this video.
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