"Water is life… the need and utilization of ground water is increasing, while the need to recharge water into the soil is being underestimated,” said Dr. Lilik Sudiajeng, PNB Professor of Civil Engineering and head of research. High demands for fresh water from Bali’s densely populated urban and tourism areas, has seen water supplies diverted from vital agricultural areas to tourist precincts in the south that now threatens the island’s future food security, UNESCO designated world-heritage rice fields, traditional Balinese culture and overall quality of life. Research for an inexpensive, cost-effective solution began intensely in 2012. The pilot water protection program, at a cost of less than U$1 million, will commence operation on funding and address the depletion of aquifers with 136 rainwater gravity-fed well systems strategically located in 13 pre-identified intervention areas. Based on successful systems in several drought-stricken areas in India, the aquifer recharge model was the technique chosen by international and Bali academic teams for rapid results in successfully restoring and raising water levels within 3 to 5 years in areas suffering fresh water crisis and threats of salt water intrusion. “Coastal areas where aquifers continue to be over-exploited will suffer further leakage of salt water into groundwater, which is forever non-reversible, meaning total dependence on expensive desalination plants to treat seawater for Bali residential, agriculture and tourism water supplies,” says PNB researcher of Civil Engineering and program co-initiator, Ida Bagus Putu Bintana. Bali tourism industry action and public awareness is urgently needed to educate residents and stakeholders on the water crisis and share knowledge to key tourism leaders on the severity and reality of current water sustainability issues, explains IDEP Foundation special project advisor and program co-initiator, Florence Cattin. “With over 77,000 registered hotel rooms, plus online booking platforms promoting thousands of Bali villas for rent - and recent announcement of increasing tourist targets to 30 million by 2029, the sustainability of Bali’s water has now passed tipping point,” said Cattin. Program organizers’ - IDEP Foundation and Universitas Politeknik Negeri Bali – are seeking support from civic and tourism industry leaders to ensure the success of the Bali Water Protection Program and the expansion of the program to other at-risk dry areas to protect regional water and food security. “This rescue program cannot be carried out by one organization alone, all must cooperate - including government, industry and general public for water rescue in this land," said PNB Professor Lilik Sudiajeng. “At the end of the day, we are facing a choice – No water, no Bali – the island has very few years of fresh water left and either we want to depend on expensive technologies such as reverse osmosis for our water or allow Bali’s future generations to enjoy the natural water bountifulness of their parents - it’s as simple as that,” said Ms Cattin. Activities : Hydrogeology Technical Research, Adopt a Wells (we build a network of 136 gravity-fed recharge wells), Adopt a River (aim to foster river stewardship with non-formal education sessions for schoolkids about the water problem in Bali), and Adopt a Water (awareness media media campaign about the water issue)

Project Results

The main function of this absorption wells is as a place collect rainwater and absorb it into the soil. Some Functions of absorption wells, among others: 1) Flood controllers, many surface streams that can be reduced through absorption wells depend on volume and number of absorbing wells. 2) Groundwater conservation, water infiltration through absorption wells is very important given the changes in land use on the surface of the earth as a consequence of the development of the population and the economy of the community. Changes in land use will reduce the ability of the soil to absorb water. It is remembering the more soil covered by walls, concrete, asphalt, and other buildings that would have an impact on the increase in surface flow rate. Closure of the soil surface by settlements and public facilities of large impacts of its parts, meaning that every 30 mm rainfall there will be 225,000 m3 of rainwater that can not seep into soil. This amount will congregate with surface flows from other areas on low land which may result in flooding. 3) Suppressing the rate of erosion, with a decrease in the flow of the surface then the rate of erosion will decrease. If the surface flow decreases, the eroded and drifted soil will decrease. As a result, small rainwater surface flows and erosion will be small. In the plan of making absorption wells need to be considered climate factors, groundwater conditions, soil conditions, land use, and socio-economic conditions of the community. Climate factor to consider is the amount of rainfall, the greater the rainfall in a region means the greater absorption wells needed. The deep groundwater conditions, the absorption wells need to be made massively because the soil really needs the water supply through the absorption well. Meanwhile, the benefits that can be obtained from making water absorption wells include: 1. reduce surface flow and prevent puddles, thus minimizing the possibility of flooding and erosion, 2. Can increase the groundwater potential because in addition to accommodate and drain, can also absorb some rain water into the soil, so it can help maintain water balance and save water resources for the long term. 3. Can help reduce puddle inundation and widespread sea water intrusion into the land. 4. preventing land subsidence from causing excessive groundwater removal, and reducing the concentration of groundwater contamination. 5. Making absorption wells can also attract labor and labor-intensive projects through community empowerment programs, for example 6. How to manufacture absorption wells does not require high technology 7. With the regulation of water flow, it is expected that groundwater contamination can be kept as low as possible.