Who is ‘Stealing’ Bali’s Water? How Tourism Siphoned Off a Prized Resource
Bali, an island celebrated for its lush rice terraces and rich agricultural heritage, is facing an escalating water crisis largely attributed to the rapid expansion of tourism. This crisis imperils not only the traditional way of life for local farmers but also the sustainable water management system that has governed Balinese irrigation for over a millennium.
Declining Water Availability Threatens Rice Fields and Farmers
Putu Partayasa, a 52-year-old rice farmer, stands by his drying fields lamenting the diminishing water supply. “Fifteen years ago, we had water every day. But today it’s getting less,” he explains. Parta is fortunate as his fields are situated high in the irrigation hierarchy, allowing him access to some water. However, many of his neighbors have already sold their land and no longer receive sufficient irrigation.
The subak system, a centuries-old cooperative that manages water distribution based on communal sharing and religious principles, is under severe strain. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 2012, this system embodies a philosophy that views water as a sacred gift to be shared equitably rather than a commercial commodity. Yet, its fabric is unraveling as tourism grows and land use shifts.
Tourists Consume Majority of Bali’s Fresh Water
Bali’s population swells with over 16 million tourists recorded in 2024, quadrupling the island’s permanent residents. Tourism now consumes more than 65% of Bali’s fresh water. Luxury resorts and villas require vast quantities for pools, laundry, landscaping, and amenities — on average, tourists use 2,000 to 4,000 liters of water daily, compared to just 30 to 50 liters for a local resident.
Groundwater extraction to supply this demand has pushed aquifers beyond sustainable levels. In many parts of southern Bali, wells have gone brackish as seawater infiltrates freshwater sources. The NGO IDEP declared Bali to be in a water crisis in 2018 and has since detected seawater intrusion in six of the island’s nine districts.
Water Becoming a Commercial Commodity, Challenging Traditional Practices
Water extraction and resale have become lucrative businesses. In Jimbaran, borewells pump water into tanker trucks that deliver up to 50,000 liters daily to luxury resorts. Operators with government permits supply these properties, while many other water businesses operate without proper licensing. The provincial government mandates permits for commercial groundwater extraction, but enforcement has been inconsistent.
The transition from community-focused decisions to centralized, online permitting allows investors to bypass local consultation and build developments that intensify water demand. Senator Niluh Djelantik, a local advocate, calls for a moratorium on new hotel construction and stricter regulation of water extraction to protect local communities and heritage.
Impact on Balinese Communities and Cultural Landscape
Loss of rice fields is pronounced; over 6,500 hectares have disappeared in the past five years alone, with some reports estimating nearly a quarter of agricultural land lost since tourism boomed decades ago. Rice paddies are essential not only as crop fields but also as natural infrastructure that preserves water by slowing runoff and recharging aquifers. Their replacement by concrete tourism infrastructure permanently alters the landscape and water cycle.
Locals like Kadek Siska in Uluwatu face daily uncertainty over water availability, often relying on costly water deliveries when public supply fails. For many Balinese farmers, water scarcity and economic pressures are prompting a gradual exodus from agriculture, jeopardizing a cultural tradition sustained through communal water sharing and farming for centuries.
This growing tension between tourism-driven water consumption and traditional Balinese irrigation highlights critical challenges for sustainable development. Without effective regulation and community engagement, Bali’s treasured water resources and agricultural heritage face an uncertain future.
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