Turning data into water: how Mengalir.co empowers villages in NTT to fight the water crisis.
In East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, access to clean water has long been a distant dream for many rural communities. But on April 25, 2025, a groundbreaking step was taken. Solar Chapter, in partnership with GoWork and the Indonesia Philanthropy Association, launched Mengalir.co — the nation’s first participatory platform for real-time water access monitoring. This milestone marks a shift from fragmented efforts to unified, data-driven solutions under the rallying cry of #IndonesiaMerdekaAir.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Why Data Matters in the Water Crisis
The numbers tell a stark story:
- 8 regencies suffering from low water access.
- 220 villages without proper water supply.
- 137 villages with defunct water facilities.
- 116 villages facing unequal water distribution.
But as the panel discussion at the launch event emphasized, data is not just about numbers — it’s about lives. Featuring speakers like Drs. Samsul Widodo (Dirjen Pembangunan Daerah Tertinggal), Ananda Putri Permatasari (Water Program Lead), and Mustika Wijaya (Founder & Executive Director of Solar Chapter), the event underscored how innovation, data, and community voices can unlock sustainable solutions.
How Mengalir.co Works: The Five-Stage Process
1. Preparation Stage
Collaborating with village officials and community leaders, the platform customizes surveys that reflect local realities. These tools are crafted in accessible language to ensure broad understanding.
2. Data Collection Stage
Through structured Google Forms and targeted phone interviews, villagers themselves report on water conditions, ensuring firsthand insights shape the dataset.
3. Data Processing Stage
Collected data undergoes rigorous checks, standardization, and curation to preserve authenticity while ensuring consistency across metrics.
4. Analysis Stage
Beyond statistics, Mengalir.co examines the socio-cultural factors influencing water access, using cross-checking methods to validate insights.
5. Presentation & Visualization Stage
The findings are showcased through an interactive website featuring maps, visual summaries, and community narratives, equipping policymakers, NGOs, and local actors with actionable insights.
With Mengalir.co, communities no longer wait in silence for aid. They can now report, advocate, and push for change in real time. This participatory model places the power of data directly in the hands of those most affected, ensuring that solutions are tailored, inclusive, and sustainable.
What’s Next? A Call to Action
While surpassing its launch milestone is impressive, Mengalir.co’s mission is far from complete. Achieving #MengalirSampaiAnakCucu — flowing water for generations to come — will require continuous collaboration among governments, private sectors, NGOs, and, most critically, local communities.
Explore the platform and see the data driving change: www.mengalir.co
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