GROUNDWATER PROTECTION*)

An effort to maintain sustainable development and environmentally sound management of groundwater resources in Indonesia

by : Soetrisno S.

Abstract

 

Abstraction of groundwater resources for various purposes in many major cities in Indonesia has led to the degradation of both quantity and quality of those resources and its environment. Nowadays groundwater resources in Indonesia become an economic commodity and have a vital role in our development.

Realizing its vital role, in order to maintain sustainable development and to comply with Chapter 18 'Protection of the Quality and Supply of Fresh Water Resources' of Agenda 21, groundwater protection in Indonesia is indispensable.

Hydrogeological knowledge of the groundwater regime and legal aspects are two things required to set-up groundwater protection areas. However, since groundwater resources are only a single facet in the hydrologic cycle, the effectiveness of groundwater protection also depends on many aspects which are involved in the hydrologic cycle.

Groundwater protection areas addressed to spatial planning of a certain area, can only be achieved through an integrated effort embracing local, regional and even national planning.

The suitability of groundwater resources from various purposes, on long term basis, can be sustained only if adequate measures protection of groundwater are conducted.

The difficulties to rehabilitate polluted a groundwater system and its quantity should encourage all parties to understand the vital need of groundwater protection in order to maintain our groundwater resources.

 

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*) Paper presented at 'Expert Group Meeting Preparatory to the First Session of the Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development", Bangkok, 30th September - 2nd October 1993.