RANTAU (TABIRkota) – Fecal coliform levels in the Tapin River, Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan (Kalsel), exceed the Class II quality standard, exceeding 1,000 MPN per 100 milliliters.
The Head of the Tapin Environmental Agency (DLH), Nordin, stated that his agency had recorded elevated fecal coliform levels at 18 of the 20 water monitoring points.
“This indicates biological pollution in the Tapin River,” he said.
According to him, elevated fecal coliform levels indicate contamination from human or animal feces entering the river.
“But it could also come from agricultural or livestock waste,” he said.
The Tapin DLH conducts river water quality tests twice a year, during the dry and rainy seasons.
This year, the first test was conducted in February and the second in September.
The testing focused on the upstream, middle, and downstream parts of the Tapin River.
Nordin added that the Tapin River’s water quality index in 2025 was 66.08, categorized as moderate.
“We will collaborate with the South Kalimantan Provincial Health Laboratory to measure several additional parameters that cannot be tested in Tapin,” he added.
The results of the increased fecal coliform levels will provide a basis for the Tapin Environmental Agency (DLH) to trace the source of the pollution and strengthen monitoring measures. (ra)
