Assessment of Water Quality and Pollution Load Capacity of Walesi River, Papua Mountains

Abstract

The Walesi River serves as a vital water source for the community in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Mountains, but its quality is increasingly impacted by human activities and inadequate sanitation systems. This research aims to evaluate the water quality and pollution load capacity of the Walesi River using the Pollution Index (IP) and Mass Balance methods, focusing on physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters in accordance with Government Regulation (PP) No. 22 of 2021. The research involved water quality testing and flow rate measurements at four sampling locations to calculate pollution load capacities. Results from the Pollution Index (IP) method indicated that the water quality at all sites is categorized as "Good." However, phosphate levels were found to have reached the maximum allowable threshold of 0.20 mg/L, signaling no additional capacity for this pollutant. Other parameters, including TDS (52,682.62 ml/day), Ammonia (75.74 ml/day), and Total Coliform (2,797.14 ml/day), were within tolerable limits based on the Mass Balance analysis. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced sanitation infrastructure and monitoring to maintain and improve water quality. This research not only provides baseline data for the sustainable management of the Walesi River but also serves as a methodological reference for evaluating water quality and pollution load capacities in other regions of Papua and Indonesia, contributing to broader efforts in sustainable water resource management.