POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF INTEGRATED URBAN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IUWRM) IN SEMARANG CITY INDONESIA

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to find out the aspects of politics and economics of integrated urban water resources management in Semarang City and their impact on the practices of qualities of water resources management. Methods: This research used the qualitative method and field research approach. The focus data are the regulation and the implementation of water resources management in Semarang City Indonesia. The data was drawn from documents and interview with some resource persons. Results and Conclusion: The study found that the city government, which should carry out the function of conserving water resources, actually polluted the Kaligarang River through one of its institutions: Local Water Drinking Company, “Tirta Moedal”. This company disposes of waste sludge containing aluminum metal directly into the river without any treatment processes that impacted in pollution in the river and causing siltation of the river downstream. Research implications: the enactment of the comprehensive and integrated water resources management will has a positive impact on the practices of water resources management in Semarang specifically and Indonesia and even world countries generally. The implementation of comprehensive and integrated water resources management will also support the achievement of the sustainable development Goal. Originality/value: Semarang City government must be supported to arrange a comprehensive and integrated water resources management (WRM) policy. There must be a clear legal law for the water resources management.