This research examines the risks and benefits associated with self-supplied water sources used by poor households, particularly with respect to water quality and supply availability throughout the year.
Research partners will jointly identify ways for governments and development partners to engage with self-supplied water services, towards a transition to safely-managed water services for all.
The research involves partnerships between UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, Universitas Indonesia, the University of the South Pacific, UNICEF and government partners.
Project map
Vanuatu
Indonesia
Team and partners
Professor Juliet Willetts
Research Director
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Tim Foster
Research Director
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Diana Gonzalez Botero
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Avni Kumar
Research Consultant
Profile
Franziska Genter
PhD researcher
Dr Cindy Priadi
Vice Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Indonesia
Dr Krishna Kotra
Lecturer in Chemistry, The University of the South Pacific
Gita Lestari Putri
Research Assistant, University of Indonesia
Heather Molitambe
Project Assistant, The University of the South Pacific
Latest
National Workshop on Risks and Opportunities of Self-Supply for Safely Managed Water in Indonesia
The Institute for Sustainable Futures - University of Technology Sydney (UTS-ISF) and Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a national workshop titled “Risk and Opportunities of Self-Supply as Safely Managed Water in Indonesia”. This workshop was the last of a series of...
Rainwater and remote logging in Vanuatu
Above: Theo from USP and water committee chair Enock installing a real time logger in Pele. Photo:Theophile Duduni As part of the Water for Women fund, ISF has been investigating ‘self-supply’ of drinking water in Indonesia and Vanuatu. Think household or communal...
Self-supply at World Water Week
In August 2021, the project team were involved in a session on self-supply at Stockholm World Water Week. The discussions explored self-supply's potential for increased resilience and water security in the Asia-Pacific region. Key contributors to the session included...
Research outputs
Self-supplied water services across Asia and the Pacific
UTS-ISF in partnership UNICEF (EAPRO and ROSA) have developed 21 country factsheets providing an overview of self-supplied water services across Asia and the Pacific. These factsheets profile the prevalence of self-supply, spatial and temporal trends, service levels including water quality and availability, equity dimensions, and policy aspects of self-supply in each country.
Microbial Contamination of Groundwater Self-Supply in Urban Indonesia: Assessment of Sanitary and Socio-Economic Risk Factors
This study quantified Escherichia coli (E. coli) for 511 self-supply sources and at point-of-use for 173 households in the Indonesian cities of Bekasi and Metro. Sixty-six percent of self-supply sources were found to contain E. coli, though this reduced to 30% at point-of-consumption due to widespread boiling practices. E. coli was significantly associated with a lack of well protection, proximity to sanitation systems, and lower-income status.
A longitudinal study of multiple water source use in Bekasi, Indonesia: implications for monitoring safely managed services
This study analysed monthly variations in household water source preferences in three subdistricts in Bekasi, adjacent to the capital city of Indonesia, through a monthly telephone survey of 87 households over a 12-month period. Around 30% of households used more than one drinking water source throughout the year and use of unimproved sources use as primary drinking water increased during the wet season from 6% to 8%.
Policy brief - Self-supply for safely managed water: To promote or to deter?
With the demand for safe drinking water ever increasing, should self-supply water be promoted or deterred? This Policy Brief presents findings and recommendations based on a synthesis of current regulations, and analysis of data from selected districts in Indonesia.
Contending With Water Shortages in the Pacific: Performance of Private Rainwater Tanks Versus Communal Rainwater Tanks in Rural Vanuatu
This study examined the performance of 1,878 rainwater tanks across 19 islands in Vanuatu to assess whether the likelihood of a sufficient year-round supply of drinking water differed between village-level rainwater tanks used communally and private rainwater tanks owned by individual households (i.e., self-supply). Compared with communal rainwater tanks, private rainwater tanks were found to have significantly higher odds of a sufficient year-round supply of water (adjusted odds ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval 1.24–2.09, p < 0.001).
Self-supplied drinking water in low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific
This study analysed 77 datasets from 26 countries to estimate the prevalence of self-supplied drinking water, and its associated trends in LMICs in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. When factoring in temporal trends, results suggest that >760 million people—or 31% of the population—relied on self-supply for their drinking water in these regions in 2018, with the number of users increasing by >9 million each year.
Faecal contamination of groundwater self-supply in low- and middle-income countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis
This review evaluated the evidence base on the safety of groundwater self-supply in low- and middle-income countries in relation to faecal contamination. The odds of faecal indicator bacteria being detected was significantly higher for unimproved sources and for sources in low-income countries. Self-supply was significantly more likely to be contaminated than piped supply.
Self-Supply Service Level Assessment as Drinking Water Source in Bekasi City (Case Study: Jatiluhur, Sumur Batu, and Jatirangga Villages)
This study assessed the service level attributes of self-supply, including accessibility, availability, and quality. A longitudinal monitoring method by means of a monthly survey of respondents was used to measure perceptions of taste, smell, colour, availability, and safety.
Life Cycle Cost of Self-Supply Water in Metro City
This study analysed life-cycle costs of household water systems the Metro City, Indonesia. Results suggest capital typical expenditure by households ranges between USD 16-64 for a private groundwater source, and recurrent expenditures are between USD 13-19.
Escherichia coli contamination of groundwater in Metro City, Lampung
This study was conducted to assess the level of E. coli contamination in groundwater at Metro City. E. coli was detected in 71% of water sources and the highest levels of contamination were in unprotected wells.
Effectiveness of Groundwater Boiling as Household Water Treatment in Metro and Bekasi Cities, Indonesia
This study aimed to determine the condition and effluent quality of household faecal containment facilities in Bekasi City. Less than 1% of households were found to have safely managed sanitation, and on average the effluent samples exceeded relevant quality standards for a number of parameters.
Sanitation inspection of household faecal containment in Bekasi, Indonesia
This study aimed to determine the condition and effluent quality of household faecal containment facilities in Bekasi City. Less than 1% of households were found to have safely managed sanitation, and on average the effluent samples exceeded relevant quality standards for a number of parameters.
Health risk analysis of nitrite, nitrate, and heavy metal pollution in groundwater near landfill area: A case study of the Sumur Batu village in Bekasi, Indonesia
This study assessed the risk of nitrite, nitrate, and heavy metal pollution in groundwater in Sumur Batu, an area adjacent to two landfills. The results reveal a risk of NO2 exposure for households sourcing drinking water from groundwater.
The Occurrence of Escherichia coli in Groundwater of Bekasi City (Case Study: Jatiluhur, Sumur Batu, and Jatirangga Urban Villages)
This study assessed faecal contamination levels in 255 groundwater sources in Bekasi City. The results show that E. coli was detected in 60% of groundwater sources.
Methods for verification of groundwater flow simulators (case study: Jakarta groundwater basin in the urban villages of Jatiluhur and Jatirangga, Bekasi City)
This study assessed groundwater flow simulations in relation to observed groundwater levels in Bekasi City. The results found a discordance between simulated water levels and actual water levels
Effect of boiling and water storage practices on E. coli contamination of drinking water in the city of Bekasi (case study: Jatiluhur, Sumur Batu, and Jatirangga Villages)
This study analysed the effect of boiling and water storage practices on E. coli contamination of drinking water in Bekasi City. Boiling water was found to reduce contamination of drinking water between the source and point-of-use for 67% of households.
Videos
National Workshop: Risks and Opportunities of Self-Supply as Safely Managed Water in Indonesia
A short teaser video for the Risks and Opportunities for Self-Supply as Safely Managed Water in Indonesia workshop.
If you value water, value sanitation
The session will be interactive, sharing the latest evidence on how faecal contamination from sanitation systems is affecting water resources, highlighting approaches, tools and pathways to improve the situation and outcomes.
National Workshop: Risks and Opportunities of Self-Supply as Safely Managed Water in Indonesia
Full video from the Risks and Opportunities for Self-Supply as Safely Managed Water in Indonesia workshop.
ISF Water for Women Self-supply in Indonesia
A video about self-supply water in Indonesia and ways to address associated health, sanitation and hygiene risks. Based on research by the Institute for Sustainable Futures and Universitas Indonnesia. (Note: presentation starts at 24 mins, 23 seconds)
ISF Water for Women Self-supply in Indonesia
A video about self-supply water in Indonesia and ways to address associated health, sanitation and hygiene risks. Based on research by the Institute for Sustainable Futures and Universitas Indonnesia.
Household self-supply: An immense but overlooked contributor to SDG6 in Asia and the Pacific (UNC Water & Health Conference 2022)
This session looks into the immense but overlooked contributor to DSG 6 in Asia and the Pacific. (Note: presentation starts at 15 mins 33 secs)
Self-supply's potential for increased resilience and water security
Self-supply means households taking charge of water provisioning as a rural and urban coping mechanism, often in response toinadequate supply. This session shares experiences and recommendations on how this complementary solution strengthens resilience.