As the Dry Season Sets In, Bottled Water Distributors in Semarang Report a Rise in Demand

 Tiara Zahra Fauzia Failika (30802400053)

Semarang, October 22, 2026 — The dry season has led to an increase in the public’s demand for drinking water. This situation is also being felt by business owners of refillable drinking water depots in Semarang, who have seen a rise in sales during the dry spell.

Fabrian Adeyias Putra, an employee at a refillable drinking water depot who has been working there for five months, noted that sales of gallon-sized water containers have increased compared to usual days.

According to Fabrian, sales—which typically reach about 120 gallons per day—can now rise to 150–200 gallons. This increase is due to the public’s growing need for drinking water during the dry season.

“The dry season has a significant impact because people need water. Usually, sales are 120 gallons, but now they can reach 150–200 gallons,” Fabrian said during an interview.

Amid rising demand, the water supply at the depot remains steady. Fabrian explained that the water comes from the Mount Ungaran area, so its availability has so far been sufficient to meet customer needs.

In terms of operating costs, water prices remain relatively stable. However, price changes may occur if suppliers raise their prices. Additionally, transactions using digital payment methods such as QRIS are also part of the depot’s operations.

Fabrian also expressed concern about the risk of forest and land fires (karhutla) if the dry season lasts longer. He cited the forest fires that occurred in Kalimantan as an example of the impacts that need to be taken seriously.

When asked about alternatives in the event of limited water supplies, Fabrian mentioned that tap water can be boiled for specific needs. However, the quality and safety of the water source must still be verified before use.

According to Fabrian, this year’s dry season, which has lasted until October, feels different from previous years. He said that in previous years, October usually marked the start of the rainy season, sometimes even accompanied by flooding.

At the end of the interview, Fabrian urged the public to use water more wisely during the dry season. He emphasized the importance of conserving water and using it only as needed to avoid waste.

The increase in sales of bottled water is one indication of the dry season’s impact on the community’s economic activities. On the other hand, this situation also serves as a reminder that the availability of clean water must be preserved through wise and responsible use.