Every day, Liliana, the 38 years old housewive, walks for about 45 minutes through dense thickets and up and down steep roads to fetch clean water from a spring on the Lariang River in Towiora Village, Donggala Regency, West Sulawesi. Countless times a day, she and other members of the Kaili Tado tribe make multiple trips carrying jerry cans and buckets to collect the clean water they need for various purposes.
Liliana not only gathers clean water for drinking but also relies on the Lariang River for bathing, washing, and sanitation because the Kaili Tado community in Towiora Village has no access to clean water sources, wells, or bathrooms. All water-related activities occur at the river, with no separation between water used for consumption and that used for sanitation.
According to Liliana, the persistent challenge of walking to the river multiple times for water has become an unavoidable part of life for her and the other residents of Towiora Hamlet. “What’s even more difficult is that when we need to use the restroom, we also have to hurry to the river—especially at night when there’s no lighting at all. Just going back and forth between our homes and the river takes over an hour,” she remarked.
These challenging conditions often leave residents exhausted, prompting many complaints. During the rainy season, residents sometimes prefer to collect rainwater for their household needs, even though its quality can be questionable. “When we’re desperate and can’t take it anymore, we’ll use rainwater rather than have nothing at all,” Liliana stated.
The Lariang River also poses dangers due to its strong currents during floods, which can threaten the safety of community members performing their daily tasks. Even in dry seasons or during storms, those in need of water continue to depend on the river, regardless of its condition. Who can guarantee their safety in such circumstances?
Similarly, another housewife, Romlia, shared her experience. Every morning before sunrise, she wakes up early to go to the river to bathe herself and her child. “Once it gets light, the river gets crowded with people bathing, washing, and doing chores, so I go first to avoid the queue and to ensure my child doesn’t feel too embarrassed, even though it’s still dark,” Romlia explained.
Romlia continued, saying that while it was still pitch dark, she carried two five-liter jerry cans of water home after bathing her child. As a middle-aged woman, she admitted that she often suffers from back pain due to the heavy loads and the long distances she walks to the river multiple times each day. “But what else can we do? We have to meet our needs, and thankfully, we’ve found a nearby clean water source,” she said.
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are basic human needs. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to ensure that communities have universal access to these essentials.
Recognizing the community’s struggles with water access, PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT) has increased its support for Towiora Village. The company has successfully built five clean water facilities in the form of public wells and sanitation facilities (MCK).
“Alhamdulillah, we have been greatly assisted. We no longer have to go to the river as often, as we now have wells and bathrooms with clean water,” said Romlia.
Liliana noted that even residents from outside Towiora Village come to collect clean water from PT LTT’s facilities, especially during the dry season or when the Lariang River’s water quality deteriorates.
“These water and sanitation facilities have benefited over 100 families in Towiora Village in need of clean water access,” said Sukri DM Lage, the village head.
For him, the establishment of these facilities is significant for a village still facing water shortages and insufficient sanitation options for some residents.
Warni, Chair of the Towiora Village Council, observed the initial phases of PT LTT’s construction of these wells and sanitation facilities. He hopes the residents can access clean water without difficulty and conduct their daily activities in a more comfortable and hygienic manner.
“We are gradually improving Towiora Village with the help of the company. Once we have clean water, we hope the residents will become healthier and more productive in the future,” Warni said.
This initiative by PT LTT stems from ongoing, constructive, and participatory discussions between community members and the company. These needs were communicated and explored through the active involvement of PT LTT’s team, aligning with what the community hopes for and requires.
