By: Choirul Fuadi)*
CIDISS – The Indonesian forum for environment or WALHI of Central Kalimantan issued data after research toward five rivers which flow to Barito River in Barito Timur and Murung Raya regency. According to laboratory test gained conclusion, the metal contamination on water is up of the level.
The research conducted on the three rivers in Murung Raya and two rivers in Barito Timur. They are river of Briwik, Bambang, Kuhung in Murung Raya, while River of Liang and Mabayoi in Barito Timur. The research conducted on last February 2016 by taking sample of Barito river water and test lab at Lab ALS Enviromental Indonesia in Bogor, East Java.
As the result, in the microgram per liter (ug/L) like said by researcher of Walhi Kalteng, Lutfi Bahktiar in lower course Briwik river, the iron contain (fe) is 836 ug/L. In upriver, the iron contain is up on 991 ug/L.
Lutfi added, in upriver of Bambang River, the Fe contain on 1640 ug/L and in kuhung river is , (Fe) 784 ug/L. meanwhile, Mabayoi river is 18600 ug/L and Liang River is 392 ug/L.
Meanwhile, according to UU No 8/2001 about water quality, mentioned that limited level of Iron containing in water is on 300 ug/L.
Meanwhile, Aryo Nugroho, Advocacy section of Walhi Kalteng explained that the research in River near of mining areas by open cut mining system. The companies nearest the river are Maruwei Coal (BHP Biliton Grup) Company, Marunda Graha Mineral, PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup in Murung Raya, also Bangun Nusantara Jaya Makmur Company in Barito Timur regency.
Moreover, the water is used by people in daily activity. They are people village of Maruwei, Kuhung in Murung Raya and Karasik and Jannah Manciwoi village in Barito Timur.