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.
Rainy Season Reality Check
Trash tides, leaks, and cleanups. Here is the latest on Bali’s beaches.
Suluban Beach
Wastewater Leak
Tap for Status ↻The Fix Is In
The Issue: A broken restaurant drainpipe leaked wastewater onto the beach.
Status: Not intentional dumping. Authorities have inspected and repairs are underway.
Trash Tides
Rainy Season Debris
Tap for Cleanup ↻Massive Cleanup
The Reality: Tonnes of organic waste and plastic are washing up daily.
Response: 800+ personnel and 60 trucks are clearing Kuta and Pantai Jerman daily.
#1 in the World
TripAdvisor 2026
Tap for Context ↻A Wake-Up Call
The Win: Bali was named “Best of the Best” for 2026.
The Warning: Leaders say this title requires an urgent infrastructure overhaul to handle waste.
Cleaner Spots
Where to swim now
Tap for Advice ↻East Coast is Best
Avoid: West coast beaches (Kuta) often catch the most seasonal trash.
Go To: Sanur or Nusa Dua for cleaner shores right now.
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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Truth
Saturday 24th of January 2026
Literally every single household in bali routes their waste water into the rivers! The government is a joke, full of clowns!
Shorty
Friday 23rd of January 2026
It would be interesting to see the e-coli count at the major beaches. Septic tanks are universal. With the heavy rain the ground is saturated and septic outflow would mix.
Steve bmi
Friday 23rd of January 2026
Flooding not folding
Steve bmi
Friday 23rd of January 2026
If you understand the stormwater system the pipe work system for folding is inefficient basicly unless because over building...try getting your heads around the sewage system there is hardly any, all over bali its pumped or flows out to sea alot you can't see as it's under sand and the end of pipes are out a wee way. Don't think it's just the tourists strip's along the coast all the banjars and desa's going back kilometres where do you think that goes people, sure there's a few sewage ponds for show
Steve bmi
Friday 23rd of January 2026
Come on all sewage runs out to the sea, where do people think it goes there's no sewage systems pipe systems that can handle it.