Launch of REAL-Water Research in Indonesia: Advancing Rural Water Sustainability and Policy
Summary
On 23 April 2024, the USAID-funded Rural Evidence and Learning for Water (REAL-Water) program launched new research activities in Indonesia. REAL-Water research is poised to contribute to PAMSSANIMAS, the successor to PAMSIMAS, Indonesia's current large-scale community-based rural water supply flagship program, as well as broader rural water policy directions. To improve ongoing sustainability and performance of water services, REAL-Water’s research in Indonesia will focus on three themes identified during an in-depth consultation with key national ministries in 2023:
- Improving water service providers’ financial and operational management, including strengthening economics of service and enhancing water safety through comprehensive risk assessments and risk management approaches encompassing all steps in a drinking water supply chain–from catchment to customers;
- Strengthening water quality monitoring; and
- Improving planning for better water resources management.
This launch event brought together USAID, the Government of Indonesia, and REAL-Water implementor, the Aquaya Institute, alongside partners, University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF), Lembaga Teknologi Fakultas Teknik Universitas Indonesia (LEMTEK FT UI), Center for Regulation Policy and Governance (CRPG), and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).