The Indonesia WATER SMS project will apply new data collection tools and sharing methodologies through Short Messaging Services (SMS) and web mapping to increase civic participation to improve water services. The WATER SMS System will be designed, created and tested by communities, PDAM, local government, and other water stakeholders to become an effective tool to improve water services for the urban poor in Indonesia. Residents, using hand phones and email, can rapidly report chronic and acute conditions. In the pilot phase, this may include conditions such as poor water quality or quantity, well failures, failure of tanker water supplies, or costs for tanker water.  The project aims to empower residents and improve the ability of water providers to learn about and then respond quickly to acute, short term problems their customers are facing. The project will work in Malang, East Java, and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The expected results during the pilot phase include:

• At least 1,000 reports submitted that identify problems with water services;
• At least 75% of the relevant departments at PDAM will incorporate the SMS data into their operations during or shortly after the pilot; and
• Minimum 200 people trained and participating in WATER SMS, half of which are women and 60% below middle income.