Nongsa residents demand reliable water as Batam’s expanding data-center industry faces growing scrutiny.
Batam’s rapid digital infrastructure expansion is facing resistance from residents in Nongsa, where prolonged water shortages have triggered repeated protests and questions over how the island balances investment with basic public utilities.
Residents Block Nongsa Digital Park
Dozens of Nongsa residents blocked access to Nongsa Digital Park on October 5, protesting water shortages they said had left some neighborhoods without piped supplies for months. Protester Andi Lalang told The Jakarta Post that some residents had experienced complete supply cuts lasting between three and six months. Police and military personnel were deployed around the area and redirected vehicles during the blockade.
Data Center Growth Draws Residents’ Anger
Residents have linked worsening water access to the expansion of data centers in Nongsa, pointing to continued development inside the digital park while surrounding communities struggle with supply interruptions. The October 5 blockade was the latest in a series of protests over the previous two months. The reports note that water supplies to data-center facilities remained available while nearby residents faced shortages, intensifying public frustration.
BP Batam Blames Drought, Not Data Centers
BP Batam has rejected claims that data centers caused the shortages, instead attributing the disruption to dry conditions and reduced water levels at Nongsa Reservoir. Following the protest, a BP Batam official promised to restore piped supplies within two days and ordered six tanker trucks to temporarily deliver water to affected neighborhoods.
Only 53 Percent of Supply Restored
By October 7, piped water had been restored to around 53 percent of affected areas, but residents said the partial recovery had not resolved their concerns. Nongsa resident Juliardi Adinda warned that further demonstrations could take place if the problem was not fully addressed or if water disruptions returned.
Batam Has at Least 16 Data Center Projects
The dispute is unfolding as Batam develops into a major data-center location, with at least 16 hyperscale data-center projects expected to be developed through 2027 and 2028. The expansion has raised concerns about whether the island’s water and electricity infrastructure can keep pace with growing demand.
The Nongsa protests highlight an increasingly visible tension between Batam’s data-center ambitions and residents’ access to reliable clean water. For Indonesians, particularly Batam residents, the immediate concern remains restoring dependable household supplies as digital investment expands. For Singaporeans, the dispute provides a nearby example of how rapid data-center growth can intersect with limited utility infrastructure in neighboring Batam.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Jakarta Post (2026)
Keywords: Batam Water Crisis, Nongsa Data Center, Nongsa Digital Park, Batam Data Centers, BP Batam Water, Batam Water Shortage
