Vertical drainage has a crucial role in mitigating inundation caused by heavy rains. The purpose is to hold the rainwater so it won’t flow directly to the canal, thereby reducing the formation of water puddles. But, did you know that vertical drainage also has another purpose and types? Moreover, each type of drainages are built based on the need and the location of the construction. To get a more comprehensive insight, Jakarta Smart City interviewed Dudi Gardesi Asikin, the Secretary of the Jakarta Water Resources Agency.

Dudi Gardesi Asikin, the Secretary of the Jakarta Water Resources Agency

The Multiple Roles of Vertical Drainage in Jakarta

Vertical drainage is a drainage model that uses gravity to help infiltrate water into the soil. Infiltration wells, infiltration ponds, biopore holes, and vertical gardens are another form of vertical drainage. The vertical drainage built in Jakarta has multiple roles which are divided into two: long term and short term. In the long term, the drainage serves as groundwater conservation. The vertical drainage is expected to be able to supply groundwater needs as well as to prevent groundwater depletion due to excessive groundwater consumption. In the short term, vertical drainage serves to store the rainwater and to reduce the runoff.

“In order to prevent runoff, as the Governor [Anies Baswedan] has announced, vertical drainage is built. It serves to prevent the formation of water puddles in one area,” Dudi explained.

The vertical drainage built in Jakarta has several models. First, the ‘shallow well’ with a diameter of one meter and a depth of 2-3 meters. Then, the ‘medium well’ with a depth of up to 20 meters.

The Indicators to Build Vertical Drainage

Vertical drainage is not built just anywhere. The accuracy of the location in building vertical drainage is an important point to be considered by the Jakarta Water Resources Agency. First, the agency needs to consider the data on areas that are prone to inundation and flooding. Second, the ground level shouldn’t be lower than the water level. If the groundwater level is already high, then a shallow well can’t be built in that area. Lastly, to build drainage effectively, the soil structure in the infiltration area must be able to absorb water at least two centimeters per hour. With those points taken into consideration, many vertical drainage have been built in East Jakarta, South Jakarta, and parts of Central Jakarta. One of the successful uses of vertical drainage located on D.I. Panjaitan street. There, the vertical drainage is proven to be able to accommodate the water that previously flooded the roadside.

“In the future, we’ll try to make drainage in northern Jakarta. Not the one built into the ground, but one above the surface, and it doesn’t have to be a well. It can be in the form of a barrel or water tank which we already have in our office in Rawamangun,” Dudi said.

The Collabs Between Government and the Citizen

The government needs our participation as a citizen to fulfill the demand of vertical drainage in Jakarta, which is why the Large-Scale Social Collaboration program was launched. Dudi added, this program is happening massively in some areas. Some collaborators even run it through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.

“They provide concrete pipes for the construction of medium wells. In several buildings where the surrounding roads are easily flooded, they have made reservoirs so the water doesn’t stagnate,” Dudi said. Furthermore, in the Governor's Regulation No. 20 of 2013, citizens also have the obligation to build vertical drainage.

So far, the total volume of vertical drainage built by the Jakarta Water Resources Agency is around 41,752 m³ which was built in around 18,000 locations. Not only that, through the collaboration of other parties, 3,449 drainages have been built and are able to accommodate a total volume of 6,208 m³ of water. Compared to having to clear some lands, building the drainage through massive collaboration between the government and the citizens provides more significant results in terms of inundation control.

Making Our Version of Vertical Drainage with Biopore Infiltration Holes

Biopore infiltration holes are the type of vertical drainage which you can make at home. Biopore holes make it easier for the soil to absorb rainwater, so we can reduce the risk of water puddles forming around the house. The rainwater that goes through the biopore hole will transform into groundwater that we usually use on a daily basis.

Smartcitizen, the Jakarta Provincial Government has made various efforts to mitigate inundation and flooding in Jakarta. However, this effort will be difficult to succeed if it’s not supported by us, the citizens of Jakarta. In addition to collaborating to build vertical drainage, we also play an important role in preventing floods by not throwing garbage into sewers and rivers. Also, you can use JakLapor feature in JAKIif you happen to see water puddles or floods around you and the report will be forwarded to a related agency for an immediate response. To get JAKI, you can  download it on the Play Storeor App Store!