Bali's Water Crisis Deepens as Tourism Growth Collides with Dry Season

While no visible water shortage is currently affecting Bali, experts and local media are warning of a growing mid- to long-term water crisis. According to Indonesia's meteorological agency BMKG, as of early August 2026 roughly 76.5% of the country's climate zones (535 zones) have entered the dry season, with low rainfall affecting 90.79% of Indonesian territory. Bali is among the regions expected to see continued low rainfall in the coming weeks.

The underlying issue is rapid tourism-driven development. Bali has long relied on the traditional 'subak' irrigation system, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. However, rice paddies and water-absorbing land have increasingly been converted into hotels and villas. A July 2026 report by The Guardian cited land data showing more than 6,500 hectares of rice fields lost in Bali over the past five years. Since paddies help retain rainwater and recharge groundwater, this loss represents a shrinking of the island's natural water infrastructure.

Water demand from the tourism sector itself has also surged. One study found that tourism-related water use in Bali increased by about 20.8 million cubic meters (295%) between 1988 and 2013, concentrated largely in Badung Regency. As groundwater extraction intensifies, wells must be dug deeper, and in coastal areas excessive pumping raises the risk of saltwater intrusion.

Experts also point to growing inequality in water access: some areas maintain villas with private pools and gardens, while communities just a few kilometers away must buy water from delivery trucks. For now, hotels remain open and taps still run, but observers warn that underground water stress is quietly building.