Suwung Sludge Facility Struggles With Rising Waste Loads

Denpasar — The Suwung Septage Treatment Facility (IPLT Suwung) is facing capacity pressure after an increase in septage deliveries, triggering vehicle queues, service restrictions, and concerns about disposal outside the facility on Friday, November 6, 2026.

The issue was discussed at a coordination meeting of leaders and Commission III of the Bali Regional House of Representatives after receiving a hearing on the operation and maintenance of IPLT Suwung. The septage vacuum service association said delivery volumes under certain conditions can reach around 250 cubic meters per day.

Available capacity has become an issue because the number of vehicles requiring service is greater than the facility’s receiving capacity. One association representative said about 165 vehicles are registered, in addition to other vehicles outside the association. When vehicles cannot access the facility, septage is allegedly disposed of improperly, including on vacant land or dry fields during the dry season.

Suwung pressure could affect sanitation in Denpasar and tourist areas

For foreign residents and visitors in Denpasar, Sanur, and Kuta, the issue primarily concerns sanitation services in areas serving homes, businesses, hotels, and tourism facilities. Disruptions to septage reception could lengthen queues for vacuum trucks and increase the risk of odors or environmental complaints if waste is diverted to inappropriate locations.

Balipost reported that the stated treatment capacity is in the range of 100 to 150 cubic meters, estimated to equal around 25 to 37 trucks if one truck carries around 4 cubic meters. The same report said the initial capacity of IPLT Suwung was around 400 cubic meters, while treatment capacity declined before improvements.

A Tribun-Bali report said IPLT Suwung has an installed treatment capacity of 400 cubic meters per day and could theoretically receive around 130 trucks per day, with vehicles carrying an average of around 3 cubic meters. However, receiving capacity is not the same as treatment capacity. Incoming waste was also reported to have an organic load of around 25,000 to 35,000 ppm, while BOD in treated water ranged from 500 to 1,000 ppm.

Balipost also reported that improvements completed in June 2025 increased receiving capacity from around 70 to 80 trucks to around 130 trucks.

Sources

• Bali Post — Balinese news report
• Tribun-Bali — Denpasar news report
• Bali Provincial Government — official event record
• bali.idntimes.com
• star-news.id