Water Sumur Required Permits

In Bali, the laws regarding groundwater (wells) have become significantly stricter as of March 2026. The government is currently conducting nationwide audits, and the provincial government is enforcing a vision of "water protection" to combat the island's shrinking water table.

Here is the essential legal and practical information you need before drilling.

1. The Critical Deadline (March 2026)

Under Regulation No. 6 of 2023, all properties (including existing ones) using more than 100 cubic meters (100,000 liters) per month must have a legal permit and a water meter installed.

• The Amnesty Period: The three-year grace period for compliance ends in March 2026.

  
  

• Inspections: Authorities (Satpol PP) are expected to begin widespread inspections and sealing illegal wells immediately.

  
  

• Fines: Non-compliance can lead to massive administrative fines, reportedly starting from IDR 350 million and reaching up to IDR 5 billion for commercial entities.

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2. Required Permits

There are two primary types of legal "permission" depending on your usage:

A. SIPA (Surat Izin Pengusahaan Air Tanah)

This is the Groundwater Utilization Permit required for any commercial activity (Hotels, Villas for rent, Restaurants, Laundries).

• Platform: Applied for via the OSS-RBA (Online Single Submission) system.

  
  

• Requirement: You must have a Business Identification Number (NIB) and a valid Location Permit (KKPR).

  
  

B. Groundwater Usage Approval (Non-Commercial)

For personal residential use, the rules are slightly lighter but still require approval through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) online system if usage exceeds basic household thresholds.

3. Technical Requirements & Documents

To get a permit, you don't just "dig." You must provide a technical plan that includes:

• Bore Plan: Exact coordinates and the planned daily volume ($m^3/day$).

  
  

• Technical Recommendation: A "Saran Teknis" from the Geological Agency (requires a field survey).

  
  

• Environmental Commitment: You must pledge to build a recharge well (sumur resapan) to put water back into the ground and install a calibrated water meter.

  
  

• Proof of Land Ownership: Certified land title (Sertifikat), Deed of Sale (AJB), or a long-term Lease Agreement.

  
  

4. Current Moratoriums

As of early 2026, Bali has a construction moratorium in several districts (specifically targeting new hotels/villas on agricultural land).

• Affected Areas: While the "6-district ban" focus has shifted, highly developed areas like Badung, Gianyar, and Denpasar face the strictest scrutiny for new water permits.

• Agricultural Land: Drilling on land still zoned as "Green Belt" or productive rice paddies is almost impossible to permit legally right now.

5. Summary Table of Risks

Violation	Potential Penalty
No SIPA Permit	Fines up to IDR 5 Billion / 3 years prison
No Water Meter	Immediate sealing of the well
Drilling without Survey	Rejection of future permit applications

Pro-Tip for 2026

If you are a villa, restaurant or hotel owner, do not wait for the "knock on the door." The process to get a technical recommendation and permit can take 3 to 6 months due to the backlog of applicants trying to beat the March deadline.