Evaluation of Kuncur water springs water quality in Sumberbening Village Ngawi Regency

Residents’ wells drying up during the dry season cause drought in Ngawi Regency. Kuncur water springs are one of the water sources that continuously drains water every time, but the water has a salty taste and is suspected to contain sulfur. This research aims to analyze the quality of Kuncur water springs and recommend using water according to the community’s needs. The research occurred at Kuncur water springs, Sumberbening village, Bringin sub-district, Ngawi regency, East Java, from April to September 2022. The method used is the analysis of water quality samples in the field and laboratory. The results showed that all parameters met quality standards (Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia number 492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010) except for the total dissolved solids, coliform, and E. Coli. Kuncur Spring is proven to contain sulfur. The recommendations for water use at the Kuncur water spring restrict its use to bathing and washing activities and prohibit its use as a drinking water source.


Introduction
Water constitutes a fundamental necessity in humans, animals, and plants [1].However, water availability is severely limited in certain regions, rendering it insufficient to meet the needs [2].Water scarcity is a growing problem worldwide, affecting billions of people.Water scarcity happens when communities cannot fulfill their water needs because of insufficient supplies or inadequate infrastructure [3].This situation is influenced by the respective areas' hydrological, meteorological, and geological conditions.Another challenge is related to the deterioration of water quality [4].
One area grappling with issues concerning the accessibility of water resources is Sumberbening village, Bringin district, Ngawi regency, East Java [5].During the dry season, one of the hamlets experiences water scarcity due to the drying up of wells.The Kuncur water spring is a continually flowing well water source during the rainy and dry seasons (Figure 1).This well, constructed in 1976, has endured through the present day and continues to be utilized by residents during the dry season.[6].
The utilization of water from The Kuncur water spring has yet to be optimized due to uncertainty surrounding the water quality from the source.Based on residents' experiences, water produced from this source possesses a salty taste, rendering it unsuitable for drinking purposes.However, if the quality of water from The Kuncur water spring were to be accurately determined, its utilization could be maximized.Motivated by these considerations, the present study aims to analyze water quality from the Kuncur source and formulate recommendations for its utilization.This endeavor is expected to provide

Location and Research Phases
The investigation focused on The Kuncur water spring in Sumberbening village, Bringin district, Ngawi regency, East Java.The research phases undertaken encompassed: (1) Sample collection, (2) Sample analysis, and (3) Water utilization recommendations.

Sample Collection
Sample collection was conducted at the water springs with a triadic repetition.Sample collection was carried out on three different occasions during different seasons: July 11, 2022; August 8, 2022; and September 6, 2022.Several parameters were measured on-site using a pH meter and water quality strip test (pH, alkalinity, free chlorine, total chlorine, hardness, nitrite).However, the strip test results only show the presence or absence of the content and do not show quantitative values, so analysis is needed in the laboratory.

Sample Analysis
Samples were analyzed both in the field and laboratory.Field analysis employed water quality strip tests.Sample analysis occurred at the Environmental Laboratory of Perum Jasa Tirta 1, Malang.The assessment of Kuncur water springs quality employed the standard water quality criteria outlined in the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010 concerning the requirements for drinking water quality [7] and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation number 32 of 2017 concerning the standard quality criteria for environmental health and health requirements for purposes of hygiene and sanitation, swimming pools, aqua solutions, and public baths [8].In this study, the water quality parameters are restricted to key indicators of clean water quality, including odor, color, turbidity, taste, temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, aluminum, iron, chloride, manganese, copper, ammonia, E. coli bacteria, and total coliform bacteria.
Experts from PJT 1 at the Environmental Laboratory carried out the sample analysis.For example, a turbidimeter to analyze turbidity, a pH meter to analyze pH, and other analyzes using instruments from PJT 1.The results of the water content analysis will be compared with the value of quality standards (Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010 and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 32 of 2017)

Water Utilization Recommendations
Water utilization recommendations, as delineated by the National Water Resources Council, encompass applications in agriculture, clean water supply, power generation, and household consumption.These recommendations are to be established based on the laboratory analysis outcomes of the water samples.

Survey and data collection
The Kuncur water springs are in the Sangiran reservoir area, precisely adjacent to the main channel of Belikwatu hamlet, Sumberbening village, and Bringin district (Figure 2).This water source remains uncontaminated by other sources due to its classification as an underground well.Fluctuations within the parameters during the three testing rounds include turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved iron, fluoride, hardness, nitrate, sulfate, coliform, and E. coli.Nonetheless, all parameters meet the quality standards, except for TDS in August, total coliform, and E. coli.Parameters such as color, temperature, taste, cyanide, mercury, arsenic, dissolved cadmium, hexavalent chromium, selenium, dissolved lead, and odor remained consistent across the three rounds of testing and meet the required quality standards.
The maximum permissible limit for TDS is 1000 mg/L per water quality standards.However, July, August, and September test results were 190 mg/L, 1248 mg/L, and 636 mg/L, respectively.Hence, the August value exceeded the stipulated quality standard.TDS exceeding the standard implies a high concentration of solids in the water, rendering it unsuitable for consumption.Fluctuations in certain parameters are also influenced by weather factors, with rainfall causing an increase in TDS and turbidity values.The turbidity values from the Kuncur water source range between 0.98 and 3.29 NTU, and this range falls below the maximum allowable limit of 25 NTU.Dissolved iron ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 mg/L, fluoride from 0.08 to 1.2 mg/L, total hardness from 75 to 309 mg/L, manganese from 0.1 to 0.2 mg/L, nitrite from <0.0005 to 0.01 mg/L, detergent from 0.03 to 0.05 mg/L, and nitrate fluctuates between 0.2 to 0.8 mg/L.These parameters adhere to the required quality standards.The fluctuation in nitrate values could be attributed to runoff or sedimentation from domestic or agricultural waste.
The assessment of organic matter content based on permanganate value (KMnO4) in water bodies is significant in the nutrient cycle, carbon, and energy requirements for producers and consumers.KMnO4 values in the Kuncur water source exhibit negligible variation across months, ranging from 8.2 to 8.7 mg/L, remaining well below the standard limit.
Sulfate values range from 1.2 to 5.3 mg/L, with the highest occurrence during the rainy season, reaching 5.3 mg/L.Sulfate values correlate with pH; the highest sulfate value coincides with the lowest pH of 6.8, while the other two tests registered a pH value of 7.2.These pH values still fall within the safe range of quality standards and are considered neutral.
Test results reveal the presence of total coliform and E. coli bacteria.Total coliform ranges from 1.8 to 9.2 MPN/100ml, and E. coli falls below <1.8 to 3.6 MPN/100ml.These parameters fail to meet the quality standards.Higher levels of coliform bacterial contamination correspond to an increased risk of other pathogenic bacteria.Despite the low values, the presence of E. coli renders the water unsuitable for drinking or consumption due to its potential long-term health impacts.Sulfur content in The Kuncur water springranges from 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L, validating community assumptions of sulfur content.This content possesses positive effects beneficial for treating skin ailments.

Water Utilization Recommendations
Based on the analyzed results, the water from The Kuncur water spring is limited to bathing and washing activities and unsuitable for drinking water use.If used as a source of drinking water, it will be dangerous.The water from Kuncur water springs contains E. coli bacteria, which can harm health, causing diarrhea, meningitis, septicemia, urinary tract infections, and intestinal infections [11].Water treatment solutions that can be implemented are filtration and purification.The filtration and purification of source water involves several stages to remove dirt particles and harmful substances, resulting in cleaner and safer water.Several methods commonly used in this process include physical, chemical, or biological [12].It could be a tourist attraction if developed further due to its sulfur content that can aid skin ailment treatment [13].The village government can create a bathing pool that residents can use.

Conclusion
All parameters meet the quality standards of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010 and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 32 of 2017, except for TDS in August 1248 mg/L from the 1000 mg/L limit.Another parameter that did not meet standards is total coliform, which ranges from 1.8 to 9.2 MPN/100ml, and E. coli falls below <1.8 to 3.6 MPN/100ml.Apart from these three parameters, everything is below the limit required quality standards.The Kuncur water springs are confirmed to IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1311/1/0120276 contain sulfur 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L.The recommended use of water from the Kuncur springs is restricted to bathing and washing activities and cannot be utilized as a drinking water source.If water treatment is to be carried out, filtration or purification methods can be used.

2 a
potential solution for addressing water scarcity during the dry season in Sumberbening village, Ngawi Regency.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Condition of the Kuncur Water Springs

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Detailed Location of the Kuncur Water SpringsInitial steps encompassed a location survey and determining the first sample collection.Water continuously emanates with a consistent discharge rate.The Kuncur water spring is maintained voluntarily through community cooperation.Daily water involves bathing, while excess water flows into the main channel through a minor conduit (Figures3 and 4).

Figure 3 . 4 .
Figure 3. Initial Condition During Survey Figure 4. Initial Water Sample Collection Attempt for On-Site Analysis 3.2.Water Quality Testing Results Sample collection was carried out on three different occasions during different seasons: July 11, 2022; August 8, 2022; and September 6, 2022.Samples were analyzed both in the field and laboratory settings.Field analysis employed water quality strip tests.The results from field tests encompass only 15 parameters and do not provide quantitative values.The strip tests merely indicate the presence of tested parameters in the water.In addition to on-site analysis, samples were transported for laboratory analysis at the Environmental Laboratory of Perum Jasa Tirta 1.The laboratory test outcomes are as follows.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Water Quality Testing Results for TDS, coliform bacteria, Turbidity, pH, and Sulfide