Borewell in Dumai

 

Short answer up front: borewell (groundwater) in Dumai is variable but often problematic for direct drinking — common issues reported in studies and local surveys are elevated iron and TDS/salinity (coastal seawater intrusion), possible hydrocarbon (oil) influence near the port/industry, and microbial contamination related to sanitation. Several local groundwater assessments and monitoring papers document these concerns. (UIN Suska Repository)

What’s typically found in Dumai borewell water (and why)

• High iron / rusty water — multiple local studies and health-office data note iron concentrations above Indonesia’s potable limits in parts of Dumai, causing brownish colour, staining and taste/odour problems. (UIN Suska Repository)

• Salinity / high TDS from seawater intrusion — Dumai is a coastal, low-lying city and several geophysical and hydrogeological studies identify saltwater intrusion or trapped Holocene marine water in shallow aquifers; that raises conductivity/TDS and makes water brackish in areas. Simple disinfection won’t fix this. (Thai Journal Online)

• Industrial / oil contamination risk near port and industrial zones — coastal monitoring found oil residues and industrial influence in coastal waters; groundwater close to industrial sites can be at higher risk. (ResearchGate)

• Microbial contamination — where on-site sanitation (septic tanks) and shallow wells are common, studies report higher bacterial risk in well water (faecal coliforms / E. coli). This is a frequent problem in Indonesian coastal towns including parts of Dumai. (Semantic Scholar)

Health risks

• Drinking untreated borewell water with high iron is usually more a nuisance (staining, taste) but excessive iron can cause other issues in plumbing and may indicate other metal presence. (UIN Suska Repository)

• Brackish/salty water increases sodium/chloride intake and is not recommended for regular drinking or infants; chronic consumption is undesirable. (journal.uir.ac.id)

• Bacterial contamination can cause diarrheal disease and acute gastrointestinal illness. Presence of hydrocarbons or other industrial pollutants carries additional longer-term health risks. (Semantic Scholar)

What to test for (recommended parameters)

Get a laboratory test that includes at least:

• Field/physical: pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC) / TDS.

• Inorganic: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nitrate (NO₃⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), sodium (Na⁺).

• Microbial: total coliforms and E. coli.

• If near industry/port: test for hydrocarbons / petroleum fractions and (if relevant) heavy metals.
  Local groundwater assessment studies for Dumai used these parameters — they’ll tell you whether water is safe for drinking or needs treatment. (journal.uir.ac.id)

Practical treatment options (what works and what doesn’t)

• If iron is the only problem: aeration + sand/iron removal filters, or oxidation (manganese greensand / filtration) followed by sediment/activated carbon and disinfection. (Common, relatively low cost.) (Jurnal UIN Raden Fatah)

• If microbial contamination: point-of-use chlorination (careful dosing), UV disinfection, or boiling for drinking water. Ensure pre-filtration if turbidity is high. (Semantic Scholar)

• If salinity / seawater intrusion: the only practical household fix is reverse-osmosis (RO) for desalination — expensive and produces brine. Shallow fixes like chlorination do not remove salt. For community-scale problems, managed aquifer recharge or reducing over-pumping are long-term solutions. (journal.uir.ac.id)

• If hydrocarbons are present: specialized treatment (activated carbon, advanced oxidation) and professional advice are required — do not rely on home filters alone. (ResearchGate)

Action plan you can follow

1. Collect a sample and get it tested at a certified lab for the parameters above. Many local universities and private labs accept household well samples — look for labs used by the Dinas Kesehatan or university studies. (journal.uir.ac.id)

2. If tests show only bacteria: disinfect (boil / chlorinate / UV) + address possible contamination pathways (move septic tanks further from wells, seal well casing). (Semantic Scholar)

3. If high iron / turbidity: install iron removal + sediment prefilter before disinfection. (Jurnal UIN Raden Fatah)

4. If salty / high TDS: consider point-of-use RO for drinking water or use bottled/PDAM water for consumption; discuss longer-term community options with local water authorities. (journal.uir.ac.id)

5. If industrial contaminants are detected: stop using the borewell for drinking until you get specialist advice and remediation. (ResearchGate)

Where to get help in Dumai

• Contact Dinas Kesehatan Kota Dumai or the local PDAM for guidance and for lists of certified labs / sampling procedures; local universities (e.g., Universitas Islam Riau) have performed groundwater studies in Dumai and sometimes help with analysis. Studies and local health-office data report that many residents still rely on well water and that access to safe piped water can be limited — so the local authorities are the right first stop. (journal.uir.ac.id)