In the heart of Indonesia, the Cisangkuy River Basin, a lifeline for the rapidly growing Bandung Metropolitan and its surrounding areas, is facing a critical juncture. The basin, once a reliable source of water, is now grappling with severe water scarcity, pollution, and frequent floods. These challenges, exacerbated by a surge in population and industrialization, have necessitated innovative solutions for integrated water management. Enter a groundbreaking cooperative research project between Indonesia and Korea, led by IH Ko and his team at Yooshin Engineering Corporation, which is paving the way for a smarter, more efficient water management system.
The research, published in Jurnal Sumber Daya Air (Journal of Water Resources), delves into the spatial-temporal water balance analysis of the Cisangkuy River Basin. The study not only highlights the current water management challenges but also explores the potential benefits of implementing both structural and non-structural measures. The findings are compelling: non-structural measures, such as optimized operation rules, can significantly enhance power generation capacity and water supply safety. “The implementation of non-structural measures has shown to improve power generation capacity by 1.4% to 2.7% and water supply safety by 0.8% to 1.2%,” said IH Ko, the lead author of the study. “Moreover, water shortage days have decreased from 223 to 190, demonstrating the effectiveness of these measures.”
The study also sheds light on the potential impacts of planned intake under the current water supply system. According to the research, if the planned intake of 3.3 m3/s is applied, water supply safety could decrease by 8.3% at the Cikalong Intake and by 12.5% at the Pataruman gauge station. These findings underscore the urgent need for additional water supply to meet the growing demand. “The results indicate that additional water supply is necessary to meet the increased water demand,” Ko emphasized.
The research also evaluates the effect of a new dam at Cikalong, revealing that while it could ensure a consistent water supply of 0.35 m3/s at the Cikalong intake station, it could also lead to a decrease in water supply safety for river maintenance flow and irrigation water by 2.4% to 4% at Pataruman. This dual impact highlights the complex nature of water management and the need for a balanced approach that considers all stakeholders.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the energy sector. As water scarcity and pollution continue to pose significant threats, the development of smart water management systems could revolutionize how we approach water resources. By optimizing water use and ensuring a consistent supply, these systems could enhance the efficiency of hydroelectric power generation, a critical component of Indonesia’s energy mix.
The research by Ko and his team at Yooshin Engineering Corporation serves as a blueprint for future developments in integrated basin water management. It underscores the importance of a holistic approach that combines structural and non-structural measures to address the multifaceted challenges of water management. As the world continues to grapple with water scarcity and pollution, the insights from this study could shape the future of water management, not just in Indonesia, but globally.