UGM’s Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) students, part of the Kelana Kendal team, are dedicated to enhancing community awareness of clean water quality.
One method involves mapping the positions of wells and assessing water facilities in Majasem Village, Ngawi Regency, East Java. This endeavor aims to aid the community in accessing clean water and foster awareness about preserving water resources.
This initiative was spearheaded by Novira Riski Herdian (Mathematics and Natural Sciences), Najma Ayu (Geography), Tiara Indah Pratiwi (Social and Political Sciences), Dimitrio Diaz (Agricultural Technology), Putu Kuncoro Jati (Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and Hafidh Nurdiansyah (Vocational College).
They meticulously mapped the well locations by physically visiting and documenting each hamlet in Majasem Village. Data regarding the wells were sourced from archived records provided by the Majasem Village office.
These records detailed the approximate locations of each available well. Subsequently, field surveys were conducted at the close of January 2024 to gather coordinate data by visiting the precise well locations.
Novira Herdian disclosed that the survey findings identified 22 wells in Majasem Village with an average depth of 120 meters, serving agricultural purposes and providing clean water for daily needs.
The coordinate points obtained were input into a map delineating the administrative boundaries of Majasem Village utilizing the ArcGIS 10.8 application. Symbolization and layouting were then performed as the final stages in the mapping process.
“These endeavors aim to generate a map depicting the distribution of groundwater wells in Majasem Village,” she elucidated.
In tandem with mapping efforts, UGM KKN-PPM students from Kelana Kendal also conducted thorough inspections of water facilities, encompassing assessments of well conditions and water quality and surveys of well users.
Water quality checks were conducted by obtaining samples from household to household, with five samples from drinking water wells taken three times each.
The samples were subjected to analysis employing a water meter, measuring parameters such as ambient temperature, turbidity level (TDS), acidity level (pH), and conductivity level (EC). The inspection results were subsequently recommended to the village government for further action.
This initiative garnered positive responses from the community and the internal Kelana Kendal team, as articulated by Faiza Ulinnuha. She underscored the significance of mapping well locations and inspecting water facilities as pivotal steps in ensuring equitable and safe access to clean water for the community.
“This initiative underscores the sensitivity and commitment of UGM KKN-PPM students to enhancing community welfare and safeguarding public health,” she affirmed.
Team field supervisor Dr. Atus Syahbudin lauded the students’ efforts in mitigating the requisite factors. Given the scarcity of wells in Majasem Village and their substantial depth, suggesting the village’s susceptibility to drought, Dr. Syahbudin emphasized the importance of this undertaking.
Drawing on survey data from UGM students, Dr. Syahbudin highlighted Majasem Village’s vulnerability to drought, underscored by the necessity to drill wells to considerable depths and the absence of wells in some residential areas.
Dr. Syahbudin expressed hope that this activity would benefit the community by furnishing information regarding the condition, location, and distribution of water sources in their vicinity. This, in turn, would facilitate community access to available clean water sources, enabling more effective management and utilization for daily needs.
Author: Majasem Team
Editor: Ika