The Settling Ponds

On the South Bali island, there is a large complex with upscale hotels and shops along the western coast, the Nusa Dua hotel complex. When it was built, a water treatment facility and settling ponds were built along one side with the purpose of water reclamation and reuse for maintaining the Very expansive and beautifully manicured grounds. Bali which has no significant underground aquifer, relies on water catchment and water reuse. The building of big hotels is a concern because of high water usage. The settling ponds have become a haven for many of the islands beautiful and unique water and shore birds. Very early in the morning and late in the evening, bird watchers walk around the vast area of the many ponds with cameras and binoculars. We were fortunate to go with our lodge host, Meryl, Kadek, a lovely Balinese staff member who often leads walks there, and a father and two teenage men from Australia whose combined bird identification knowledge was very impressive. We saw several varieties of kingfishers, one variety so very small, egrets, many night herons, Java cormorants, the beautiful purple heron, and so many more. This area is such a treasure, and all because of good water reuse.