The community user groups (KPPs) of the IPAL Komunals, which the PUTR Office of Lumajang district built in 2017, participated in an operation and maintenance training held by the PUTR Office and USAID IUWASH PLUS on January 16, 2019 in Aby Hotel, Lumajang district, East Java.
About 25 people consisting of KPP care takers, BPSPAMS Association in Lumajang district, and staff of the UPTD of domestic wastewater management participated in the IPAL Komunal operation and maintenance training.
During the training, the participants shared their experiences in operating the IPAL Komunal as well as discussing challenges and their solutions. One of the problems the KPPs frequently have is that the IPAL Komunal gives smell to neighboring areas and the IPAL is clogged with scum. These problems can be addressed through regular maintenance.
In addition, the participants also learnt the importance of regular desludging service as well as financial contribution from the users to fund the IPAL komunal operation and maintenance.
The participants said that they learnt a lot from this training, especially about the KPP’s tasks to keep the IPAL Komunal functioning well.
“After this, I will reactivate financial contribution from the users in my area so that the IPAL will function well,” said Siti Nurfaiyah, salah satu pengurus KPP.
In 2017, Dinas PUTR built 10 IPAL Komunals with capacity of 65–75 houses, respectively, using Special Allocation Budget (DAK). To date, about 70–80% of each IPAL Komunal’s capacity is used.
