ESDM Geology Agency Builds 81 Wells To Monitor Land Subsidence

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has built 81 monitoring wells to monitor land subsidence.

The Geological Agency also plans to add eight monitoring wells in 2023 and 12 monitoring wells in 2024.

"Controlling the destructive power of groundwater is focused on monitoring land subsidence and intrusion with a target of priority locations along the development zone of the National Strategic Industrial Area (KSN) on the North Coast of Java Island," said the Head of the Geological Agency Sugeng Mujiyanto as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 16.

The Geological Agency said that groundwater withdrawal without regard to the recommended rules, especially in big cities, would cause changes in the groundwater basin and cause environmental damage such as land subsidence as well as seawater intrusion.

Because of this, the Geological Agency through the Center for Groundwater and Environmental Geology has issued a standard for the implementation of groundwater concession permits. Meanwhile, good groundwater management includes utilization, conservation, and control of destructive forces.

"Until now, the Geology Agency has served more than 3,000 applications for groundwater permits. We are also conducting a Groundwater Clinic Innovation as a space for discussion and delivery of alternative solutions to the problems faced by applicants in the online groundwater licensing process," said Sugeng.

Furthermore, to prevent negative impacts arising from the uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater, the Geological Agency recommends protecting groundwater recharge areas to prevent a decrease in groundwater formation.

Then, controlling groundwater withdrawal in the groundwater discharge area to prevent a decrease in water availability, using groundwater as effectively and efficiently as possible by prioritizing meeting basic daily needs.

Next, manage water quality and control water pollution in an integrated manner and continue to socialize the importance of managing groundwater in an environment-oriented manner.

In addition, with regard to groundwater management, the Geological Agency has also issued maps and recommendations, namely hydrogeological maps, groundwater basin maps, groundwater availability maps, groundwater conservation maps, and technical recommendations for groundwater withdrawal as well as recharge area maps and settlement maps. ground level.

The phenomenon of subsidence in several big cities in Indonesia is a real threat.

Head of the Geodetic Laboratory of the Bandung Institute of Technology Heri Andreas said that without proper management and supervision, a decrease in the groundwater level of 1-20 centimeters per year will become a threat in the future.