Tallo King’s Tomb parking area, before and after Tametotto’s construction
Water as a Catalyst for Change
Water shapes daily life in subtle yet profound ways. During Tametotto’s construction, residents—mothers, young men, and elders alike—watched with curiosity and hope. Now, they happily fill their jerry cans at the site free of charge. As the dry season looms, the community has adopted conservation practices, reserving Tametotto’s water for emergencies and ensuring equitable distribution.
Children’s engagement with Tametotto adds another layer of the story. Although the construction displaced their regular football field, they have found creative ways to interact with the facility, sometimes bypassing safety locks to rinse off after games. They continued to play football in the same area, as the water pump occupied only a small portion of the space. Their interaction also sparks reflection on how changes, in this case limited water access, shape young lives, affecting not only their health but also their development and resilience.
Children interacting with Tametotto for the first time
Through this project, we’ve witnessed the transformative potential of rainwater optimization. Tametotto has not only provided clean water but also inspired conversations around sustainable water management. We hope this initiative motivates other communities to harness surface water resources, improve their water systems, and enhance quality of life.
">Tallo, a coastal sub-district in Makassar, is home to over six thousand people, primarily fishers and factory workers. Perched just 5-10 meters above sea level, it is known for its cultural heritage, including the historic Tallo King’s Tomb. Yet, despite its cultural significance, Tallo faces a chronic clean water crisis. The Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) has identified it as one of the most drought-prone areas in Makassar, presenting a persistent challenge for the community.
Comparing water sources during the rainy (left) and dry seasons (right)
Water scarcity profoundly impacts daily life, especially for low-income residents. During visits to one of the neighborhoods in Tallo, we observed a sharp increase in water costs for households relying on pumped and communal wells. These families pay 18% more for clean water than those with access to piped water from PDAM.Compounding the issue, the distance to water sources raises hygiene concerns. Many wells are contaminated with waste and left uncovered, while jerry cans used for storage often accumulate green algae from prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat, and minerals. While some algae are harmless, others, such as blue-green algae, produce toxins that pose serious health risks.
During the dry season, women, who bear the primary responsibility for water collection, endure long queues from 2 am to 8 am as wells refill slowly. This grueling task not only drains their time and energy but also exposes them to safety risks, underscoring the gender inequalities inherent in water-scarce regions.
Jerry cans used for water storage
Tallo's reliance on limited groundwater further exacerbates the issue. Over-extraction risks saltwater intrusion, rendering freshwater brackish and depleting critical reserves for future use.
Untapped Potential: Surface Water Catchment
Despite these challenges, Tallo holds untapped potential with its abundant rainwater and seawater. Optimizing surface water—particularly rainwater—offers a sustainable alternative to groundwater extraction. Although desalination is already employed in Tallo, it requires significant space, maintenance, and electricity, limiting its scalability. Many residents have taken matters into their own hands by harvesting rainwater in small containers (500-1000 liters) to supplement their clean water needs for cooking and washing, often boiling the water first.
A homemade rainwater harvesting system in Tallo
From May 2022 to June 2023, Kopernik, in collaboration with Celebes Green Project and Terrawater Indonesia, worked with neighborhood unit (RW) 5 to explore alternative clean water solutions. One standout initiative was Tametotto(c), a communal rainwater harvesting system developed by Daiken. Following the success of similar systems in Palu, Tametotto was constructed in the parking area of the Tallo King’s Tomb to provide an additional source of clean water.
The construction process, completed in two months, involved excavation, geomembrane lining, river stone filling, and restoring the site post-construction. Rainwater collected from a 1000-square-meter roof is funneled into a 45,000-liter storage tank via underground pipes. The water, which meets national quality standards (Permenkes No. 32/2017), is now used for cleaning and bathing. Local officials and PDAM have recognized Tametotto’s impact, proposing its inclusion in the village’s annual maintenance budget.
Tallo King’s Tomb parking area, before and after Tametotto’s construction
Water as a Catalyst for Change
Water shapes daily life in subtle yet profound ways. During Tametotto’s construction, residents—mothers, young men, and elders alike—watched with curiosity and hope. Now, they happily fill their jerry cans at the site free of charge. As the dry season looms, the community has adopted conservation practices, reserving Tametotto’s water for emergencies and ensuring equitable distribution.
Children’s engagement with Tametotto adds another layer of the story. Although the construction displaced their regular football field, they have found creative ways to interact with the facility, sometimes bypassing safety locks to rinse off after games. They continued to play football in the same area, as the water pump occupied only a small portion of the space. Their interaction also sparks reflection on how changes, in this case limited water access, shape young lives, affecting not only their health but also their development and resilience.
Children interacting with Tametotto for the first time
Through this project, we’ve witnessed the transformative potential of rainwater optimization. Tametotto has not only provided clean water but also inspired conversations around sustainable water management. We hope this initiative motivates other communities to harness surface water resources, improve their water systems, and enhance quality of life.
