Drought in Maros leaves 6,738 households buying water for up to Rp250,000
New: residents in eight districts rely on rain-fed wells turning murky for bathing, washing and cooking.
A total of 6,738 households in eight districts in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, were affected by drought on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. In Bontoa District, residents drew water from rain-fed wells whose volume has shrunk and whose quality has started to turn murky because of the dry season. Some residents also bought water for bathing, washing and cooking, paying Rp40,000 to Rp250,000 per 1,000 liters. In Lau District, water from bore wells was sold to residents who were struggling to get clean supplies. Antara photos showed the drought has forced residents to rely on alternative water sources as the dry season continues in Maros.