Balipost.com reports that many, if not most, of the fire hydrants in Bali’s capital city, Denpasar, are inoperable.
This news is especially alarming given the frequent fires that afflict businesses and residences in Denpasar.
As reported by Balipost.com, Denpasar has 90 fire hydrants installed across the City. However, following the official separation of responsibilities between the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the Municipal Fire Department (Damkar), reports state that only 43 (48%) of the total inventory of hydrants are in working condition. Moreover, many of the hydrants that do operate are dependent on an inadequate water supply.
Denpasar’s Fire Chief, I Made Tirana, confirmed on Thursday, 06 November 2025, that only 43 hydrants are working, but with limited supplies of water, adding: “There are a couple of hydrants with a normal or standard supply of standby water, while others have a severe shortage of water supplies, not affected by residential usage.”
Fire hydrant locations with large water reservoirs capable of replenishing an armada of fire trucks in 3-4 minutes are near the Governor’s office (Jayasabha), the Denpasar Military Command (Kodam), Apotik Anugerah on Jalan Patimura, and the Renon Roundabout.
Commenting further, Tirana said: “We are seeking large-capacity pipes. We do not install hydrants without careful planning.”
The Fire Chief explained that if hydrants are located in residential areas and are needed to fight fires when residential water use is high, this can delay the speed with which fire trucks can be replenished with water.
As a result, when fires occur, as many as six fire trucks will be deployed, but they must rush back and forth over a wide area to replenish their water supplies. When necessary, firefighters will seek supplemental water supplies from nearby swimming pools. Officials are reluctant to draw water from local rivers, fearing that the water quality could damage sophisticated, expensive water pumps.
Meanwhile, Suteja, a member of the Bali Legislative Council (DPRD-Denpasar), said on Tuesday, 02 November 2025, that data from the BPBD revealed every neighborhood (kelurahan) has 7-8 hydrants that are not functional.
Officials claim that the water shortage is gradually being overcome. Most neighborhood now have 6-8 fire hydrants making emergency water supplies more accessible.
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