Desalination initiative delivers 331,000 cubic metres in three months, marking a milestone for sustainable tourism infrastructure in Bali.
BADUNG, Bali — Faced with limited freshwater resources and rising demand from one of Indonesia’s most visited tourism areas, PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Indonesia (ITDC) has taken a decisive step: turning seawater into a primary source of clean water for the Nusa Dua tourism complex.
Over the past three months, ITDC has produced about 331,000 cubic metres of clean water from treated seawater in Nusa Dua, Bali. The achievement marks a significant move to safeguard the long-term operations of the premium destination while strengthening the resilience of its tourism infrastructure.
ITDC is part of InJourney, the state-owned tourism holding that manages strategic destinations across the country.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Addressing Water Constraints in a Key Tourism Area
The initiative reflects growing efforts by tourism operators to adapt to environmental pressures, including limited freshwater availability and the impacts of climate change. For Nusa Dua — one of Indonesia’s flagship tourism zones — ensuring a reliable water supply is critical to maintaining service standards and meeting the needs of visitors.
The desalination effort is designed to reduce reliance on groundwater and conventional freshwater sources, while ensuring stable operations across the destination.
SWRO Technology at the Core
According to ITDC’s Director of Operations, Troy Warokka, the company relies on Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology to convert seawater into clean, consumable water.
“At full operational capacity, production can reach up to 1.31 million cubic metres per year,” he said during a briefing in Nusa Dua on Jan 22.
SWRO works by applying osmotic pressure to separate salt from seawater, producing clean water suitable for consumption. The technology is widely regarded as an efficient and sustainable solution, particularly for fast-growing coastal regions where freshwater resources are under strain.
First-of-Its-Kind Permit in Indonesia
The project also sets a regulatory milestone. Through its subsidiary, PT ITDC Nusantara Utilitas (ITDC NU), ITDC became the first company in Indonesia to receive official approval from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries(KKP) to process seawater into drinking-quality water using modern technology.
The permit was granted under the Pemanfaatan Air Laut Selain Energi (ALSE) scheme, classified under KBLI 36001, and submitted through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. ITDC said the entire licensing process was completed in accordance with prevailing regulations, with close coordination among relevant agencies.
Supporting a 350-Hectare Tourism Complex
The desalination facility ensures a stable clean water supply for hotels and villas across The Nusa Dua, a 350-hectare tourism area in Badung regency.
The destination currently hosts around 5,485 rooms across 22 five-star hotels and luxury villas, making water reliability a core operational requirement.
By securing an independent water source, ITDC aims to protect the destination from supply disruptions while supporting continued tourism activity.
ITDC NU Director Novan Aryanda said the seawater processing initiative is aligned with the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments, particularly in addressing clean water availability in priority tourism destinations. The use of SWRO technology is expected not only to reduce groundwater extraction but also to strengthen environmental resilience and support the development of greener tourism areas.
ITDC NU has stated that it remains committed to responsible operations, including safeguarding marine ecosystems and surrounding coastal environments as part of the desalination process.
Lead image : TDC operates Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology to convert seawater into clean water at The Nusa Dua tourism complex in Badung, Bali.
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