Groundwater Quantity and Quality of Springs of Karst Region in Pacitan Regency, East Java

Abstract

The emergence of springs and underground rivers is one of the characteristics of a karst landscape that is formed due to the karstification process in which carbonate rocks are dissolved by water to form cavities or channels. Karst Pacitan is an area located in parts of Donorojo, Punung, and Pringkuku sub-districts. Geologically, the area is included in the Wonosari Formation unit, which is composed of limestone. The hydrogeology of the Pacitan karst is part of the Wonosari Groundwater Basin. Similar to other karst regions, in the surface is difficult to find water. Naturally, the emergence of springs is used by the local community to help them meet the water needs for daily life. This research was conducted by measuring several groundwater samples from springs in the karst region of Pacitan Regency. The purpose of this study is to determine springs groundwater quantity and quality in the research area. In order to achieve above objectives, groundwater observation includes measurement of springs discharge, checking physico-chemical parameters including pH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and temperature. Based on the measurement results, the springs in the Karst Pacitan area have a discharge range between 0.01 to 89.28 L/s. According to WHO standards and the Regulation of the Minister of Health Republic of Indonesia the groundwater in the Pacitan Karst area is accepted as drinking water based on their physicochemical parameters.