Here I want to present my field note written when I had gathered data for RAPID-Dikti research in 2004-2005. This field note described water scarcity problem faced by batik artisans in Sragen batik sub-cluster.
In Sragen batik sub-cluster, water used to fulfill household and industrial necessaries is taken from wells. The wells water level is 11-12 meters in approximate. During dry season, the batik artisans have been forced to face water scarcity problem. Everyday each batik artisan needs 5 m3 clean water in approximate, to fulfill his household and industrial needs. But during dry season in 2004 and 2005, there was no sufficient clean water to fulfill their necessaries. To solve this problem, traditionally they used several ways, i.e.
1. Using water more efficiently. For example, cooking and production needs were considered have priorities over bathing, so that they took bath only once per three days.
2. Using water from Bengawan Solo River to wash batik products, even though the quality of that water was bad. This way will decrease the quality of those washed batik products.
3. Shifting batik dyeing process to Sukoharjo Regency that locates about 30 km from Sragen. This shifting, of course, will increase the batik production costs.
4. Making a new well. At long dry season in 2005, one of CGRS-SWCU’s respondents had to make a new well, because his well was dry. After digging 4 different locations, finally he could make a new well. Why he had to dig 4 different locations? Because the quality of water in the three previous wells was bad, as seen from its color and smell, so that it could not be consumed. In 2005 CGRS-SWCU had reported that the bad quality of that water was caused by batik wastewater pollution (CGRS-SWCU & RAPID-Dikti, 2004-2005).
Source: field note PPSG-UKSW & RAPID-Dikti 2004-2005.
