WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF NORTH SUMATERA

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF NORTH SUMATERA
By: Asrul Masir Harahap *)

North Sumatra Province located at 3^o 14’ – 4^o  13’ North Latitude and 97 ^o  52' - 98 ^o  45 'east longitude with an area of ​​6263.29 km2 or 7.10% of the total area of ​​Indonesia, most of the area has a sloping topography and vast stretches of lowland waterway along the East Coast, with coastal elevations of 0-4 m above sea level, and lowland altitude 4-30 m above sea level. Besides having low-lying areas and the coast, the highlands of North Sumatra has elevations of 30-1200 m above sea level. In addition to having a vast expanse of plains, North Sumatra also has a forest area and the spacious plateau. Approximately 44.29% of the area consists of forest and Sumatra highlands. Most of the highlands and the forests are located in the National Park of Mount Lauser (TNGL), which is the catchment area (DTA) are central to large rivers in North Sumatra. Sumatra has an average temperature of 28 ^oC, the average rainfall is 3268 mm / yr, and a rainy day on average 112-168 days / yr.

Water Resource Potential of North Sumatra

As usual areas sloping toward the beach, lowland Sumatra has a ground water table is located relatively close to the soil surface. So are caused areas of North Sumatra, to obtain ground water, simply by digging the ground at a relatively low depth can already be found rushing water and clean soil.

In addition to underground water sources, Sumatra also has the potential sources of the ground water or surface water that large rivers such as the Sei Deli, Medan, Sei Ular in Deli Serdang, Sei Wampu in Langkat, Asahan in Asahan Sei, Sei Batang Gadis in South Tapanuli , Sei Lepan, Sei Bingai, Sei Besitang and others are widely used for irrigation and water supply.

Description above illustrates how much potential water resources in North Sumatra, and only a small part which is used among others for irrigation and drinking water. For the needs of clean water, management of water resources handled by the Regional Water Company (PDAM) spt. PDAM Tirtanadi, PDAM Tirta Wampu etc.. In fact, there are still many citizens who do not enjoy North Sumatera source of clean water because they PDAMS these limitations, due to limited and yet optimal management of water resources. This is an indication that the projected development PDAMS to be able to serve even more people of North Sumatra and the surrounding area is very wide open.

Policies to develop the industrial sector in North Sumatra industries both small, medium and large, and development-Zone Industrial area requires support a very large source of water. Utilization of water resources for industrial use, and others have not laid out well.

When linked with the existence of water resources is also a measure of the conservation and preservation of natural environment, then how much potential water resources are owned by the North Sumatra and how much of this potential can be used for all the needs of its use is to know and be studied in depth.

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*) Director of PPA Branch Consultants of North Sumatra

Utilization of Water Resources for Regional Development

Utilization of water resources are managed well will provide benefits and positive impact on regional development, among others: (i) Water is essential for agricultural irrigation, especially for the improvement of agricultural productivity of food crops (rice) and horticulture (vegetables and fruits) through management of water resources with the appropriate irrigation system, (ii) Water is essential for the development of aquaculture development potential is huge in North Sumatra (iii) Source of water can be a means of improving standards of living by providing clean water through the system development drinking water network that reaches all levels of society, not only for the residents of North Sumatra, but also for residents of other areas in the vicinity. Especially for North Sumatra alone, there are many water pipelines has not reached the majority of the community, (iv) potential for clean water in the mountains can be developed for the plant drinking water and mineral water needs and market demand is increasing. The opening of the drinking water plant / mineral water can be done by investors or by the local government through investment and capital to establish or expand an existing water company or to be established, (v) a major source of ground water in North Sumatra to support the manufacturing industry, industry large, medium and small who need water as one of the major components of the industry, as well as have been used by the agricultural sector through agricultural irrigation pumping systems.

Potential water resources are abundant, if not properly managed utilization will impact the disruption of the balance of nature and the environment. Some of the impacts of water resource use did not notice the balance of which (i) Groundwater over-exploitation resulted in shortages of ground water. For ramps and facing coastal area, groundwater shortages resulting influx of sea water (intrusion) to the mainland, so that ground water can not be consumed anymore, (ii) Damage to the watershed (DAS) and catchment area (DTA) results fluctuate sharply river discharge. In the rainy season, abundant surface water and have a tendency to flood, and when the drought experienced drought. The crisis in water use will occur when the balance of groundwater and surface water is not properly managed. Once the frequent floods that hit several areas in North Sumatra, of course, partly due to water resource management is not good, so also is the case drought.

In accordance with Act 22 of 1999 on Regional Autonomy, decentralization of water management in North Sumatra are expected to contribute positively to the local government and community empowerment. In addition to simply provide hope and challenges, decentralization is the trigger the need for adjustments to the management of water resources. As stipulated in Article 11 paragraph 2 of Law No.. 2/1999, the water management authority shall be the authority for the Government of Regency / City, which aims to optimize the management of water resources in meeting the needs of the community. Expected water management in North Sumatra is more optimal in meeting the needs of society, the development sectors and increased local revenues, while still protecting the environment for the sake of continuity in the future.

For society, the use of water resources is well managed will improve their welfare. With the increase in social welfare positive impact on the rate of development, especially in moving sectors of the economy such as agriculture, fisheries, industry, trade and others.

For local government itself, improving the welfare of the people is the most important achievement of development targets. Utilization of water resources for irrigation agriculture and fisheries, industry, drinking water, plants that provide economic benefits for the wearer may be subject to levy a comparable. This can increase revenue (PAD), which eventually could be used to finance local development.

Water Resources Management Plan of North Sumatra

Management of water resources in North Sumatra require program / project development carefully planned and integrated. Integrated water resources development through programs / projects requiring strategic management plan (management plan) which includes (i) DTA management plan, (ii) the quantity of water management plans, (iii) water quality management plan, (iv) management plan for flood control; and (v) environmental management plan for the river. The planning of water resources management in Sumatra intended to (a) identify, inventory and map types, functions, capacity and utilization of water resources in North Sumatra (b) developing programs to preserve and maintain a balanced water resource potential through conservation DTA and DAS (c) to plan the development of water resource potential by optimizing the utilization of water resources for irrigation, fisheries, drinking water (water supply), and industry with a focus on sustainability and environmental sustainability (d) to analyze and construct the projected economic benefits of water resource utilization by the people and industries that can be used as r