As Bali is in the peak of the rainy season, leaders and government agencies are working around the clock to respond to emergencies triggered by extreme weather.
Concerns have been raised this rainy season about the vast amount of trash and organic waste washing up along the island’s shores, as well as wastewater leaks at popular beaches.
The Acting Head of the Badung Environment and Forestry Agency, Made Rai Warastuthi, spoke to reporters about reports of wastewater leakages at Suluban Beach in Uluwatu.
Footage of the wastewater leakage first circulated online in early December 2025, with both tourists and local community members raising concerns about foul-smelling and off-coloured water pouring onto the beach from the cliffside walkway.
Warastuthi confirmed that an investigation has been carried out and solutions put in place. He explained, “Our team immediately went down yesterday morning to conduct an inspection.”
The team discovered that the leak was caused by a broken drainpipe belonging to a nearby restaurant. He added, “So it wasn’t intentionally dumped. It’s just the connection that’s leaking. I’ve asked the team to conduct a thorough inspection as a mitigation measure.”
As a more sustained mitigation measure, the Badung Environment and Forestry Agency is planning on bringing together business owners in the Suluban Beach area to discuss more effective waste management. Warastuthi concluded, “We plan to hold this meeting soon in the Pecatu Village Office.”
It is these kinds of issues that Bali must get a handle on if the province is to live up to its public reputation. Bali has just been named TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Tourism Destinations in 2026. While the travel and tourism sector is celebrating the well-deserved win, leaders are warning against complacency, noting that this is the time that Bali must level up in every regard, especially in terms of infrastructure.
The Head of the Gerindra Faction of the Badung Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), I Wayan Puspa Negara, told reporters this week, “Natural beauty is only the gateway. Bali’s true strength lies in the soul of its people, their hospitality, spirit, and authentic Balinese essence.”
He added,” This award should serve as both a wake-up call and an opportunity for comprehensive overhaul, both in physical and non-physical development, including strengthening tourism services and public relations.”
As teams continue to work around the clock to clear the tonnes upon tonnes of trash and organic waste that have washed up on Kuta Beach and Pantai Jerman this week, the need for major improvements in the infrastructure that supports Bali’s tourism sector is evident. This week, more than 800 personnel have been deployed to the Badung Regency coast, along with 60 trucks, loaders, and diggers, to help clear the waste.
The Chairman of the Bali Tourism Community Alliance, Dr Gusi Kade Sutawa, told reporters that the island’s big win and new status as TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Tourism Destinations in 2026 should be the moment to level up further, not kick back and enjoy the accolades.
Dr Sutawa explained, “This work number one title should be a momentum for improvement. Synergy is needed across all tourism stakeholders, from local governments, tourism businesses, the community, and even support from the central government, so that these crucial issues can be addressed promptly.”
He added, “The ultimate goal is sustainable tourism in Bali, not just attracting visits but also maintaining quality and long-term competitiveness.” He added, “By the end of 2025, international tourist visits reached around 7 million, up from around 6.4 million. million the previous year. This demonstrates that Bali remains highly attractive to foreign tourists.”
Tourists looking to avoid waste on the beaches this rainy season should look to destinations like Sanur and Nusa Dua.
However, beaches that receive the most amount of waste are still open and accessible to the public. Teams work around the clock to clear the debris before tourists start arriving for their vacation days.
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