On October 1, 2021, PDAM Tirtanadi of North Sumatra Province and the Master Meter System caretaker groups (KSMs) from Besar and Rengas Pulau urban villages in Medan city signed a cooperation agreement, which details roles and responsibilities of the two parties in implementing the Master Meter program.
The agreement signing took place in a ceremonial event held in person with strict Covid-19 health protocols by Perkumpulan Arta Jaya, with assistance from USAID IUWASH PLUS and the Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI).
Participating in the ceremony were the Head of PDAM Tirtanadi of Medan Labuhan branch office, Mr. Jamal Usman Ritonga; the Corporate Affairs Executive NSO CCEP, Mr. Deddi Nainggolan; and representatives from six KSMs in Besar and Rengas Pulau urban villages.
Since January 2021, CCFI has partnered with USAID IUWASH PLUS to construct six master meter systems in Besar and Rengas Pulau urban villages as a measure to support the city government and PDAM Tirtanadi to improve water access for low income informal communities. This multi-stakeholder partnership is implemented by Perkumpulan Arta Jaya, an NGO based in Medan city.
The participants warmly welcomed the Master Meter systems. “The master meter is a good breakthrough to improve piped water to the low income communities,” said the Head of PDAM Tirtanadi of Medan Labuhan branch office, Mr. Jamal Usman Ritonga. PDAM Tirtanadi is hopeful that the KSMs will maintain the systems into the future.
The KSMs also hope that the Master Meter intervention will help the community in Besar and Rengas Pulau urban villages to enjoy piped water service for the first time ever.
The ceremony was followed with the installation of six main meters in Besar and Rengas Pulau urban villages by PDAM Tirtanadi. By mid-October 2021, these six master meters have provided water to 253 household connections.
