The Environmental Management Master’s Program Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the West Kalimantan Provincial Government through the Department of Public Housing and Settlement Areas, has initiated a strategic step to monitor groundwater potential for clean water supply in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan Province. This activity serves as a scientific and measurable response to the challenge of clean water availability in a region dominated by peatland ecosystems. Meanwhile, the field monitoring activities were conducted from 19th–26th November 2025.
This strategic collaboration between the West Kalimantan Provincial Government and the UGM Graduate School was carried out on an official partnership of the Provincial Department of Public Housing and Settlement Areas of West Kalimantan and the Environmental Management Master Program at Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
The UGM academic team was led by Dr. Langgeng Wahyu Santosa, S.Si., M.Si., who served as an Environmental Geomorphology Expert. The activities also involved experts in geohydrology, structural geology and mineral studies, geomagnetic technology, as well as population and socio-economic specialists.
Dr. Langgeng, in the final report of the study, emphasized that groundwater is one of the most vital and promising water resources to meet long-term clean water needs. Amid the pressures of climate change, population growth, and the limited availability of high-quality surface water resources, accurate understanding of aquifers is the key to sustainable clean water supply planning.
For the West Kalimantan Provincial Government, this study provides a scientific foundation in strengthening water resource management policies, especially in areas that have long experienced clean water shortages. For the community, the results of this activity are expected to contribute to improve access to clean water that meets health standards, and also serve as a momentum to strengthen awareness of the importance of wise groundwater management.
The groundwater potential monitoring activities in Kubu Raya Regency reaffirm Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment in addressing real societal issues with interdisciplinary research collaboration and community service. The synergy academics and local government, UGM will ensure that scientific approaches can be translated into policies and concrete actions that provide direct benefits to the community.
Author: Siti Muyasaroh