Pemanfaatan Sumber Daya Air Berbasis Masyarakat di DAS Wae Rupa, Negeri Hukurila, Kota Ambon

Abstract

Water resource management on small islands requires an understanding of water availability, patterns of use and community involvement. This study identified water sources, examined their utilisation and assessed opportunities for community-based water management in the Wae Rupa watershed, Hukurila, Ambon City, Indonesia. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, combining field observations, interviews and questionnaires administered to 50 respondents. Data were analysed using coding, scoring and tabulation. Rivers were reported as the principal water source by 50% of respondents, followed by springs (34%) and dug wells or pumped groundwater (16%). River water was predominantly used for bathing and washing (70%), whereas springs and dug wells or pumped groundwater were primarily used for drinking water (64% and 76%, respectively). Respondents reported seasonal variations in water availability, with constraints affecting wells particularly evident during the dry season. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple water sources and seasonal variability when planning community-based water supply systems. The study provides descriptive evidence to inform locally appropriate and adaptive water resource management in a small-island watershed. Further research should integrate direct hydrological measurements, water quality assessments and evaluations of local institutional capacity to establish a stronger evidence base for sustainable water management and water security.