Cikarang, West Java, January 28, 2026 — For the Wanakerta and Pasirranji villages communities, access to clean water is no longer merely a seasonal issue, but a daily necessity that is now being gradually fulfilled. Through the Rainwater Harvesting Installation (Instalasi Pemanenan Air Hujan/IPAH), communities are experiencing tangible change. Previously facing excess water during the rainy season and shortages during the dry season, residents now have a more stable and safe water supply for their daily needs.

“During the dry season, we used to have to buy water, and the cost was quite burdensome. Now rainwater can be collected and used, so we feel much more secure,” said Abah Asan, a community representative, during the HIRUP Talkshow (Hiji Inisiatif Ngajaga Ketersediaan Air Bersih) organized by Rumah Energi in collaboration with Microsoft and local governments. The talkshow served as a platform for community members to directly share their experiences, the benefits they have felt, and their hopes for the sustainability of the program.

Luthfi Firmansyah, Project Manager for Water Conservation at Rumah Energi, explained that the solution was developed through an assessment process conducted since 2025 across four villages. “We learned that water conservation cannot be built on assumptions. Solutions must be grounded in real conditions and the voices of the community,” he said. The assessment results showed that rainwater harvesting is the most suitable solution for Wanakerta and Pasirranji Villages.

Support from the private sector was conveyed by Arina Dafir, Microsoft Community Affairs Manager for Southeast Asia, who emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, particularly in ensuring access to clean water for communities.

Meanwhile, discussions with local governments highlighted the need to strengthen the benefits experienced by communities through supportive policies and ongoing assistance. The Karawang Regency Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing alternative water sources through the construction of reservoirs, education on the use of safe drinking water, and the strengthening of the Climate Village Program (ProKlim) to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities. In parallel, water quality tests conducted by local health centers showed positive results and will be followed by continuous health education for the community.

Closing the discussion, government representatives and speakers agreed that cross-sector collaboration is key. “Regional policy directions already provide space for collaborations like this. The challenge now is to expand the impact so that more communities can benefit,” said Evi Mutia Shofa from the Bekasi Regency Development Planning Agency (Bappeda).

Through a community-based approach, Rumah Energi hopes that access to clean water will not be limited to only two villages, but can become a best practice that is replicated more widely to strengthen community water resilience in the face of the climate crisis.

Written by: Fauzan Ramadhan