River water in Jakarta may put people’s health at risk if consumed, as 96 percent of the water is severely polluted, the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) has said.

Bappenas' observations showed that the 13 rivers in the city were contaminated with a high level of biochemical oxygen demand, phosphor and nitrogen.

“The quality of the 13 rivers is bad. [Observations] using drones showed that most of the water was not clear," Bappenas' irrigation division director, Abdul Malik Sadat Idris, told kompas.com.

A lack of sanitation systems in residential areas, Abdul added, had contributed to the condition. While city-owned water operator (PDAM) can only meet 55 percent of the city’s water needs, the capital reportedly loses 4 cubic meters of water stock a second.

Abdul called on the city administration to immediately take measures to improve the quality of water, adding that the Public Works and Housing Ministry would help build 72 sanitation units across the city.

The city will also reportedly build other 200 sanitation units along with water distribution pipe networks, which would cost an estimated Rp 18.7 trillion (US$1.4 billion).

The administration was also urged to evaluate its water pricing system, as most residents - who refused to use PDAM's service owing to lack of affordability - were using river water to fulfill their daily needs. (vla)