Press Release: Launching of Water Sms System Makassar

April 30, 2013

Press Release: Launching of Water Sms System Makassar

Communities, NGOs and PDAM Makassar City Launches the Makassar WATER SMS System to Improve Clean Water Services

Makassar, April 30 – Environmental experts and the media in Makassar say there is an increase in pollution levels and water scarcity, especially for the urban poor. The Makassar AIR SMS system was launched as an information system that is based on the wider community to map water information, including problems that occur in sub-districts that do not yet have clean water services.

By using the number 0811 461 3111, residents can send messages directly from their cell phones to the AIR Makassar SMS System which aims to help increase the sharing of information on water-related issues in the community and support open communication and for monitoring the provision of water services. On sites that can be accessed by the public at large Makassar.smsair.co Residents can monitor and check the progress of efforts to solve the problem Water that has been sent to the PDAM, or view information collected by their community, such as participating in observing the presence of dry wells or diseases related to water and hygiene through maps. Also PDAM and NGOs can respond to messages from residents as well as provide information to support the community.

The launch, which was carried out at the PDAM Makassar City Meeting Building, was an initial pilot (pilot) of the system developed by the Indonesian WATER SMS team consisting of three organizations namely Pacific Institute (California), PATTIRO (Indonesia), and Nexleaf Analytics (California).

Since the signing of the memorandum of understanding in July 2011, PDAM Makassar City and the poor, NGOs and local government have been working with the Indonesian WATER SMS team. Projects that are mostly funded by USAID/Indonesia Development Grants. This program embraces parties who are active and working in the field of water services. USAID manages the US foreign aid program providing economic and humanitarian assistance to more than 120 countries around the world.

The launch event was also attended by the Mayor of Makassar, Mr. Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, and the Main Director of PDAM Makassar City, Mr. Tajuddin Noor.

As many as 50 representatives of government agencies, NGOs and PDAM Makassar City also attended this launch. From the community side, Community Center representatives from 14 districts in the city of Makassar were also present.

This system will utilize SMS or short message services, as the main method of receiving information. Compared to conventional methods such as call centers and suggestion boxes, sending SMS is easier and a cheaper alternative.

“SMS is an alternative method of delivering information that is easy and affordable. Especially in Indonesia’s current condition where many residents have three cell phones but don’t have enough time or private cars to visit the PDAM office,” explained Adwin Sutte, Main Facilitator of PATTIRO Makassar.

Because the information is expected to come from the wider community, this system will rely heavily on community participation to send SMS. According to Try Tisrijani, PATTIRO Makassar Community Facilitator, building community activity is very crucial. Information from them becomes very important. They are the reporters. So, whether they are PDAM customers or residents who have problems with dry wells, if they want to be heard or to gather evidence about their needs and constraints – this is an effective and inexpensive way to do it.”

This is to make it easier for the public later when sending information related to water problems such as floods, water crises, clogged drains, pipe leaks, water theft, dry wells, and others with just a finger. This tool will also collect information such as water prices, water vendors, running out of water sources, and other information that is useful for planning materials to be carried out by the PDAM and the City Government.

This project is also expected to be a trigger for increased transparency and accountability within the PDAM. The Pacific Institute, which has developed several systems related to improving water services, has created the initial concept of the SMS AIR system because there is no specific system for water governance yet. Misha Hutchings, WATER SMS Project Manager said, “With this pilot project, we are trying to build a system that becomes a media link between residents as customers and PDAM, as well as between other residents and local government. We are also developing this system to create more information real time and transparent.”

Martin Lukac, as the technical head of the Indonesia WATER SMS project, added, “We designed and built the system together with 6 communities, then tested it throughout the city of Makassar. Everyone should try using it! We will publish the results as open source software so that they can be used in areas of need in Indonesia and around the world.”

About Indonesia WATER SMS Project

The Indonesia WATER SMS Project or abbreviated as WATER SMS is a collaborative project between three (3) institutions namely the Pacific Institute (Oakland, California, USA), PATTIRO (Indonesia), and NEXLEAF Analytics (Los Angeles, California, USA).

The Indonesia WATER SMS project aims to create a highly accessible tracking and communication mechanism by relying on mobile phones that develops broad community-sourced data, and proves that mobile phones can be an effective tool for improving the quality of water and sanitation services for Indonesia’s urban poor .

To get further information about AIR SMS Makassar, you can contact:

PATTIRO

www.pattiro.org

Adwin Sutte(Community Facilitator, Indonesia WATER SMS Project. Language: Indonesia, Makassar)

asutte@yahoo.co.id

+62 0813 4237 5317

TryTisrijani (Community Facilitator, Indonesia WATER SMS Project. Language: Indonesia, Makassar)

trykendari@gmail.com

+62 0823 4343 2001

Pacific Institute

Misha Hutchings (Indonesia WATER SMS Project Manager. Languages: English, Indonesian (basic))

www.pacinst.org