Endik Sunarya, Water for People’s Independence

Samuel Oktora

· 6 minutes read

It had been difficult for people to get clean water in Karamatwangi village, in the foothills of Mt. Papandayan in Cisurupan district, Garut regency, West Java. Now however, thanks to the diligent work of Endik Sunarya, 56, water flows freely into homes in the village, contributing to improved welfare.The night grew darker and colder on Saturday (6/7/2019), and Endik found it difficult to sleep. His mind was filled with worrying news from his fellow villagers in Karamatwangi. The clean water managed by Karamatwangi’s village-owned enterprise (BUMDes) had stopped flowing. “It appears that the pipe had broken,” Endik said.

The next morning at 7 a.m., Endik sprung into action. He and three of his neighbors – Tugirin, 48; Judin, 47; and Wawah, 45 – set to work. They rode their motorcycles to Tegal Bungbrun spring, the source of fresh water for Karamatwangi village, located in the Papandayan nature tourism park (TWA).

We found damaged PVC pipes at seven points. It appears that the damage was caused by people.

They walked into the forest from the park and across a cliff to reach Tegal Bungbrun, some 2.5 kilometers away, which took them around 2.5 hours.

“We found damaged PVC pipes at seven points. It appears that the damage was caused by people,” Endik said upon arriving at Tegal Bungbrun.

Endik and his three friends quickly repaired the leaking pipes, replacing the damaged pipes and reconnecting them to the pipeline. The cold did not dissuade them from their efforts to get clean water to their village.

The day passed, and at around 3 p.m., they finished. Their neighbors informed them that the water was flowing again. They breathed sighs of relief. Endik said the satisfaction he felt was irreplaceable.

For Endik, it was more than just about the pipes. The 11.5-kilometer pipeline was a labor of love. He had worked hard to install the pipeline in 2015 to end the water scarcity in his village.

Doubts

The idea to install a water pipeline in Karamatwangi village emerged during the village head election for the 2015-2021 term four years ago. Among the problems the villagers faced was water scarcity, especially in Hamlet I in Paledang and Ciranok.

The nearest spring was around 2 kilometers from the hamlet, and those who wanted to do their laundry or needed clean water traveled there on a pickup truck. Around a dozen people would put their money together to buy the fuel – all for just two jerry cans of water each, since space was limited on the truck.

The village decided to take the initiative to construct a water pipeline through several infrastructure projects, supported by funding from the government, the province and Garut regency.

Endik was among those who jumped on the initiative. He surveyed several alternative water sources before finally deciding on Tegal Bungbrun. “There were closer [sources], but they were privately owned and used for irrigation,” he said.

Tegal Bungbrun is known for its lush vegetation. Tall trees such as the Samanea saman, Schima wallichii and Podocarpus neriifolius abound in the area. They form a canopy that shades the ground from direct sunlight. Separated from human settlements by steep cliffs, the area is relatively untouched.

“When I surveyed the area, I found that it was difficult to get through. Determining the route for the water pipe was difficult, as it involved going through a 200-meter cliff. I had to secure myself to trees or rocks to scale the cliff,” Endik explained.

We continued working the next morning at 7 a.m. We left our homes early in the morning. We did this until [the pipeline] was 1.5 kilometers from Tegal Bungbrun.

He had to be extremely careful, as Tegal Bungbrun was considered a sacred site. Work on installing the water pipe had to stop every day at 4 p.m.

“We finished working at 4 p.m., no matter what we had been doing during the day. We continued working the next morning at 7 a.m. We left our homes early in the morning. We did this until [the pipeline] was 1.5 kilometers from Tegal Bungbrun,” Endik said.

He said it was not the geography or the local myths that made the work extra hard. In the beginning, not every villager agreed to the idea. Many were pessimistic, as they said that similar projects cost Rp 1 billion (US$71,396). Some villagers also doubted Endik’s abilities, since he was a former teacher and vegetable seller.

In the end, Endik ignored these doubts. After he became convinced that his pipeline would not dry up, even in the dry season, he began construction.

In July 2016, he hired 20 men to work on the pipeline. Each man was paid a wage of Rp 20,000 for every 6 meters of pipeline they installed. Three months later, the pipeline was finished, using 1.5-inch and 2-inch pipes. Water now flowed to eight homes. The pipeline cost at least Rp 900 million to install.

Upgrade

The successful installation interested other people in the village. One by one, they asked to be connected to the pipeline. Endik currently serves 630 customers who pay Rp 1,000 per cubic meter of water. That same year, when the villagers agreed to establish a BUMDes, they also agreed that it should focus on clean water management. They appointed Endik to head the BUMDes’ clean water unit.

Today, the unit contributes between Rp 5 million and Rp 10 million in monthly revenue for operational activities, such as planting trees upstream and pipeline maintenance and repair.

Taufik Aji, 44, of Hamlet I in Karamatwangi village, said that the people were overjoyed with the clean water program. “Before, we got our water from a regionally owned water company [PDAM]. However, the water from the BUMDes is cheaper, so now we use it instead. It also flows better,” said Taufik.

Karamatwangi village head Rana Kurnia, 40, who is in charge of the BUMDes, said that the village wanted to upgrade the pipeline in the future, so that it would also pipe fresh water to other villages. The two major plans currently in the works were to expand the pipe network and to start a bottled water business. Endik had been entrusted with realizing the dream.

“Pak Endik is steadfast and brave. He is known for his complete dedication to his work. Once he starts something, he will finish it. With the clean water program, for instance, despite the people’s doubts, he kept working,” said Rana.

We hope that the clean water unit will continue to flourish in the future. Whether I am here or not, the program must continue. I also hope that the BUMDes Karamatwangi will bloom and benefit the local people, so they can prosper

Endik is ready to accept the challenge. He is currently surveying several water sources located near residential areas. These water sources will increase the water debit and be used as reserves while repairs are being carried out at Tegal Bungbrun. They are targeting 2,300 new customers from other villages in Cisurupan district.

“We hope that the clean water unit will continue to flourish in the future. Whether I am here or not, the program must continue. I also hope that the BUMDes Karamatwangi will bloom and benefit the local people, so they can prosper,” said.

Endik Sunarya

Born: Garut, 3 July 1963

Education: Siliwangi Islamic College, Garut (enrolled 1986; unfinished)

Editor:

kompascetak endik sunarya