Residents Complain about Smell, Surabaya Controls Illegal Waste Management in Keputih

SURABAYA, GARISBUMI.com – Residents' complaints regarding the smell and potential water pollution prompted the Surabaya City Government to curb unauthorized waste management activities in the Keputih area, Sukolilo District, Thursday (1/10/2026). The initial stage of control targeted seven land assets belonging to the city government.

Head of the Surabaya City Environmental Service (DLH), M Fikser, said that this action was a continuation of the control in August 2026. After that, residents asked that similar activities in the former Keputih Tegal Timur Baru TPA area also be handled.

Joint data collection from sub-districts and sub-districts found 97 parcels or plots of land used for waste management businesses without permits.

"We carried out data collection together with friends from sub-districts and sub-districts. We found that there were 97 parcels carrying out waste management (business activities) without permits," said Fikser.

The city government has carried out outreach and approached business actors before controlling. Handling of all recorded locations will take place in stages because they are spread across a number of points.

Business Actors Will Be Accompanied in Processing Permits

Apart from curbing unauthorized activities, the Surabaya City Government offers assistance to residents who want to run a waste sorting business according to regulations.

Fikser said that DLH would assist with the licensing process. Business actors also need to fulfill requirements related to land, sorting equipment, waste water treatment installations (IPAL), as well as certainty of transportation and disposal of residues.

"The requirement is that apart from having land, they must also have sorting equipment. Then there must be an IPAL and certainty that the residue that is taken must be disposed of on a scheduled basis," he said.

For waste sorting activities in residential areas, the city government will prioritize education, outreach and licensing assistance. This step is expected to help residents continue to run their businesses without disturbing the surrounding environment.

Fikser admitted that the enforcement had the potential to be objected to. However, public complaints regarding environmental impacts must still be addressed.

"We know that there will definitely be objections to this process. But their objections should not be forgotten that the activities they carry out have an impact on environmental pollution. Starting from odors to water pollution," he said.

The asset land that has been ordered and cleaned is also planned to be planted with various types of trees as part of environmental restoration.

Waste Management Needs to Control Leachate and Odors

Head of the Environmental Engineering Department of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Susi Agustina Wilujeng supports this control. According to him, waste management activities must still comply with regulations even if they are carried out on private land.

Improper management can cause leachate and odors. Burning waste also has the potential to trigger fires and air pollution.

Susi emphasized that business legality needs to be followed by suitability of location, storage and waste management methods.

"The most important thing is that the location is intended for that. Then the storage and management of the waste must also be correct, so that it doesn't have an impact on the surrounding environment," he explained.

According to Susi, waste sorting businesses near residential areas can still run as long as they are managed well and meet environmental regulations. Tags CMS: Waste Management, Surabaya City Government, Keputih, DLH Surabaya, Environmental Pollution, ITS