Public Water Bodies Research Articles

Modeling Contaminant Transport from a Red Mud Pond – A Case Study from South India

The present study focused on impact assessment of redmud pond on groundwater using numerical groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling using pertinent data including water quality and 2D electrical resistivity imaging data. The observed groundwater depths range from 1.2 to 25.8 meters below ground level with deeper levels observed in upstream and higher elevated regions in the study area. Elevated pH and electrical conductivity (>3000 μS/cm) characterize the Redmud ponds, while other groundwater samples meet BIS drinking water standards. Major ion concentrations contouring indicates high total dissolved solids (TDS) around Redmud ponds due to leakage and in the downstream due to domestic sewage pollution. Most locations adhere to BIS drinking water limits except for one downstream site. The resistivity data indicated hard formations (>18 m depth) with resistivity >500 Ohm.m, weathered basalt (12-18 m, 60-150 Ohm.m), and saturated water (12 m, 1-5 Ohm.m). Contaminated aquifers (<1 Ohm.m) are detected up to 3 m depth, and noticed accumulating contaminated water (27 m depth) in the NW corner of the Redmud pond from seepage. Predominant groundwater flow from the Redmud pond towards public water bodies and streams is highlighted by simulated contaminant transport model. Collaboration and comprehensive management are recommended to protect the watershed’s environmental integrity and public health.

Pesticides in wastewater treatment plant effluents in the Yeongsan River Basin, Korea: Occurrence and environmental risk assessment

Pesticides are among the main drivers posing risks to aquatic environments, with effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving as a major source. This study aimed to identify the primary pesticides for which there was a risk of release into aquatic environments through WWTP effluents, thereby enabling more effective contamination management in public water bodies. In this study, monitoring, risk assessment, and risk-based prioritization of 87 pesticides in effluents from three WWTPs in the Yeongsan River Basin, Korea, were conducted. A total of 59 pesticides were detected at concentrations from 0.852 ng/L to 82.044 μg/L and exhibited variable patterns across different WWTP locations. An environmental risk assessment based on the risk quotient (RQ) of individual pesticides identified 13 substances implicated in significant ecotoxicological risks, as they exceeded RQ values of 1 at least once. An optimized risk (RQf)-based prioritization, considering the frequency of the measured environmental concentration (MEC) exceeding the predicted environmental concentration (PNEC), was conducted to identify pesticides that potentially posed risks and thus should be managed as a priority. Four pesticides had an RQf value >1; metribuzin exhibited the highest RQf value of 4.951, followed by 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, atrazin-2-hydroxy, and atrazine. Additionally, five pesticides (terbuthylazine, methabenzthiazuron, diuron, thiacloprid, and fipronil) and another four pesticides (propazine, imidacloprid, hexaconazole, and hexazione) had RQf values >0.1 and > 0.01, respectively. By calculating the contributions of individual pesticides to the RQf of these mixtures (RQf, mix) based on the concentration addition model, it was determined that >95 % of the sum of RQf, mix was driven by the top seven pesticides. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing pesticides for effective management of contamination sources.

Development Of Novel Processed Tilapia Products For The Group Of Female Fish Farmers In The Village Of Ranu Klakah Lumajang

Floatingfish cages are utilized in fish farming systems using public water bodies such as lakes and seas, with tilapia being a widely cultivated fish in Indonesia due to its economic and nutritional value. Ranu Klakah, a volcanic lake in East Java, is explored as a site for tilapia cultivation. Upwelling, the process of nutrient-rich deep water rising to the surface due to wind-induced currents, is examined for its effects on water quality and fish productivity. The activity focuses on the impact of upwelling on tilapia, including reduced water quality, scarcity of natural fish food, physiological stress, disease susceptibility, and decreased fish production. To address the challenges posed by upwelling, it suggests processing tilapia into value-added products, like fish nuggets and skin chips, to enhance market value. Community service activities involving training for making these processed fish products are described, aiming to empower women in the fish farming sector and improve family income. We concludewith insights into the potential benefits of these activities and their positive impact on the local community.

Residual brewer’s Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts as biofertilizers in horticultural seedlings: towards a sustainable industry and agriculture

The food industry generates substantial amounts of organic waste often underutilized within the system. Craft beer production, experiencing global rapid expansion, contributes to this waste stream with byproducts such as spent grain, trub, and yeast. Many craft beer industries discharge yeast residue directly into public water bodies. In recent years, yeasts have garnered attention for their potential to enhance plant growth and contribute to sustainable agriculture. This study focuses on characterizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast collected at the end of the craft beer fermentation process. Biomass characterization was conducted, and the yeast’s effect on lettuce and tomato seeds and seedlings was evaluated at four concentrations (105, 106, 107, and 108 cells mL−1) in sterile substrate. After 28 days, plant height, leaf number, fresh and dry weights of both aboveground and root parts, as well as chlorophyll content, were analyzed. The most effective concentration (107 cells mL−1) was applied to tomato seedlings in sterile substrate, compared with a commercial organic fertilizer. After 21 days, growth parameters were assessed. The study demonstrated that increasing yeast doses up to 108 cells mL−1 positively affects seed germination and seedling development. Notably, a dose of 107 cells mL−1 proved effective for application in seedlings as an organic amendment and substitute for commercial products. This integrated approach showcases the potential of yeasts in sustainable agriculture, utilizing byproducts from the food industry to enhance crop performance and mitigate environmental pollution.

Spawning Technique of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at the Fish Fry Center in Cibiru, West Java

The demand for fish consumption continues to rise due to its high protein content, leading to an inadequate supply of fish stocks. To address this issue, the utilization of public water bodies for fish cultivation is seen as a potential solution. Cultivating fish in public waters can significantly boost fish production and maximize water utilization. One crucial stage in freshwater fish farming is freshwater fish hatchery development, aimed at meeting market demand for fish. Tilapia, a type of freshwater fish, holds great potential for cultivation due to its low production costs, high economic value, and adaptability to various aquatic conditions. The Cibiru Fish Fry Center in Bandung City plays a crucial role in tilapia fry production, with tilapia spawning being a significant endeavor. Tilapia is a freshwater fish species known for its elongated body shape, flattened sides, and blackish color. It exhibits a remarkable tolerance to different salinity levels and feeds on both animals and plants. Tilapia spawning at the Cibiru Fish Fry Center involves careful preparation of spawning ponds and the use of kakaban and water nets as substrates for egg attachment. Approximately 30,000 larvae are produced per spawning, with a hatching rate of 80%. Larvae management takes place in the same ponds as the spawning ponds and fertilizer application is used to promote the growth of natural food sources for the larvae. Feeding management is crucial for tilapia cultivation, with proper nutrition and feed quality influencing gonadal maturity and overall fish growth. The success of tilapia fry production at the center relies on various factors, including careful spawning preparation, optimal larval management, and effective feeding management.

Environmental performance of two marine algae Ulva fasciata and Pterocladia capillacea in the biological treatment of four reactive dyes from aqueous solutions based on fresh and dried biomass

The runoff of textile dye effluents into public water bodies is a major environmental and health problem. Color removal, in particular, has recently become of substantial scientific interest, as revealed by the multitude of related research reports. The present study focused on measuring the efficiency of two marine algae, Ulva fasciata and Pterocladia capillacea, in bio-removal of four synthetic dyes (RY2, RR195, RB19, and RB5) based on the fresh and dried biomass of the tested algal species. According to the highest removal efficiencies of the dyes, two algal species were chosen from among nine different algae. Bio-removal efficiency was examined under the effects of salinity and contact time. The results of this experiment revealed that algae achieved high bio-removal efficiency of the examined dyes in both fresh and saline water, but the removal percentages were higher in saline water compared to fresh conditions. The highest removal percentage recorded after 8 h by fresh U. fasciata in saline water reached 82.75 and 83.23% for RY2 and RR195 dyes, respectively. Contact time has the highest impact on dye removal in both algal species. The highest removal values were obtained in the case of dried U. fasciata, which achieved impressive removal percentages that reached 100% for RB195 and RB5 and fresh P. capillacea which had high removal percentages of 91.11, 94.85 and 97.13% for RR195, RB19, and RB5 dyes, respectively, after 8 h. Our results revealed that the used algal species were highly significant in the biosorption of most used dyes.

Genetic diversity and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in aquatic environments receiving untreated hospital effluents.

The spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in the environment has been recognized as a challenge to public health. The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from selected water bodies receiving hospital effluents in Kerala, India. Nearly 69.8% of Enterobacteriaceae isolates were multi-drug resistant by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The double disc synergy test was used to detect the ESBL production and the genes responsible for imparting resistance were detected by PCR. Conjugation experiments confirmed the mechanism of plasmid-mediated transfer of resistance. The prevalence of ESBL production in E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 49.2 and 46.8%, respectively. Among the ESBL-encoding genes, blaCTX-M was the most prevalent group followed by blaTEM, blaOXA, blaCMY, and blaSHV. The results suggest that healthcare settings are one of the key contributors to the spread of ESBL-producing bacteria, not only through cross-transmission and ingestion of antibiotics but also through the discharge of waste without a proper treatment, leading to harmful effects on the aquatic environment. The high prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae with resistance genes in public water bodies even post-treatment poses a serious threat.

Natural resource system size can be used for managing recreational use

Outdoor recreation provides societal benefits that are often measured by the amount of use natural resource systems receive. Still, the amount of resource use natural resource systems receive is often unknown or unstudied. Monitoring and quantifying resource use is often logistically difficult and costly but is paramount to optimize societal benefits. Identifying a simple and readily available metric that can indicate the quantity of recreational use of natural resource systems would benefit natural resource management. Using recreational angler participation data during an 11-year study period from 73 public waterbodies in Nebraska, USA, we developed a resource size-use model that demonstrates the ability of natural resource system size to indicate the quantity of recreational use they receive. We demonstrate how resource size-use models can estimate use for unsampled systems, produce broad-scale estimations of use, guide the allocation of resources, and predict how changes in resource system size may affect use. Resource size-use models provide opportunities to manage recreational use, which has been previously elusive for social-ecological systems.

Persistence of surrogates for high consequence viral and bacterial pathogens in a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment system.

The persistence of high consequence public health pathogens in a wastewater treatment system can significantly impact worker safety, as well as the public and downstream water bodies, particularly if the system is forced to shut down the treatment processes. This study utilizes organism viability to compare the persistence of three pathogen surrogates in wastewater using a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment (AST) system, operated to mimic treatment processes of large-scale plants. Bacillus globigii spores, surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, persisted in the AST system for at least a 50-day observation period leading to a possible steady condition far beyond the solid retention time for sludge particles. MS2 bacteriophage, surrogate for Poliovirus and other non-enveloped enteric viruses, was observed for up to 35 days after introduction, which largely and expectedly correlated to the measured solid retention time. Phi-6 bacteriophage, a surrogate for Ebola virus and other enveloped viruses, was detected for no more than 4 days after introduction, even though the AST system was operated to provide three times slower solids removal than for the other surrogates. This suggests Phi-6 is subject to inactivation under AST conditions rather than physical removal. These results may suggest similar persistence for the surrogated pathogens, leading to appropriate consequence management actions.

EVALUATION OF ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INNOVATIVE WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PARKS

Typical processes of water purification and water treatment of water park pools are considered. The method of economic estimation of efficiency of their application is offered. The methodology is based on the introduction of a number of indicators of the quality of the water treatment process of calculating the coefficient of “efficiency criterion” of water treatment of swimming pools. The purpose of this study was to develop an innovative technology of electrolytic-cavitation water treatment for swimming pools and water parks and to create a method of comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of modern water treatment technologies. A new technological scheme of electrolytic-cavitation water purification of public water bodies is proposed. A mathematical dependence has been created, which allows to objectively assess the effectiveness of various methods of water treatment and purification using the proposed indicator called “efficiency criterion” It is established that the proposed method of electrolytic-cavitation water purification has the highest values of efficiency from the considered water purification processes. This method is based on an organic combination of the advantages of such physical methods as electrolytic and cavitation disinfection of organic and biological water pollutants. The degree of purification and disinfection provided by him reaches 97-98%.

EVALUATION OF ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INNOVATIVE WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PARKS

Typical processes of water purification and water treatment of water park pools are considered. The method of economic estimation of efficiency of their application is offered. The methodology is based on the introduction of a number of indicators of the quality of the water treatment process of calculating the coefficient of “efficiency criterion” of water treatment of swimming pools. The purpose of this study was to develop an innovative technology of electrolytic-cavitation water treatment for swimming pools and water parks and to create a method of comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of modern water treatment technologies. A new technological scheme of electrolytic-cavitation water purification of public water bodies is proposed. A mathematical dependence has been created, which allows to objectively assess the effectiveness of various methods of water treatment and purification using the proposed indicator called “efficiency criterion” It is established that the proposed method of electrolytic-cavitation water purification has the highest values of efficiency from the considered water purification processes. This method is based on an organic combination of the advantages of such physical methods as electrolytic and cavitation disinfection of organic and biological water pollutants. The degree of purification and disinfection provided by him reaches 97-98%.

Identification and characterization of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital wastewaters: evidence of horizontal spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Antibiotic resistance has become a major threat to human health around the world, but its spread through the aquatic environment has been often overlooked. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital wastewaters and their transmission into public water bodies in Kerala, India. A total of 113 S. aureus were isolated from three hospital effluents in Kerala, India. Standard disc diffusion and the strip method were used for antibiotic susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration detection. Plasmid-mediated vancomycin resistance was confirmed by plasmid curing and conjugation; resistant genes were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nearly 76% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to β-lactams, chloramphenicol, macrolides, aminoglycosides, and glycopeptide class of antibiotics. Among the vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) isolates, the prevalence rates of vanA and vanB resistance-encoding genes were 46.5 and 59.3%, respectively. Through the broth mating method, vanA gene was successfully transferred from VRSA donor to vancomycin-sensitive S. aureus. The study strongly indicates the contamination of water bodies with antibiotic-resistant bacteria from hospital discharges, their dissemination and possible transfer to microbes in the aquatic environment, posing a serious threat for public health.

ПРИЧИНЫ ДЕГРАДАЦИИ ВОДНЫХ РЕСУРСОВ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ПРОВИНЦИИ В НАЧАЛЕ ХХ ВЕКА

The article studies the causes of water resources degradation in a provincial city at the beginning of the twentieth century, the status of water bodies in the town of Ivanovo-Voznesensk, Vladimir province is taken as an example. The data on the high degree of pollution of the Uvod river by industrial wastes are given. The author comes to the conclusion that the degradation of the city’s water resources resulted from the urban textile enterprises operation that discharged wastewater directly into public water bodies along with the reluctance of the city authorities to solve the issue of wastewater purification. All these factors seriously threatened the residents’ life and health.

Predicting Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) in a Regulated River Using a Revised EFDC Model

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) produce toxins and odors in public water bodies and drinking water. Current process-based models predict algal blooms by modeling chlorophyll-a concentrations. However, chlorophyll-a concentrations represent all algae and hence, a method for predicting the proportion of harmful cyanobacteria is required. We proposed a technique to predict harmful cyanobacteria concentrations based on the source codes of the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code from the National Institute of Environmental Research. A graphical user interface was developed to generate information about general water quality and algae which was subsequently used in the model to predict harmful cyanobacteria concentrations. Predictive modeling was performed for the Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir–Changnyeong-Haman Weir section of the Nakdong River, South Korea, from May to October 2019, the season in which CyanoHABs predominantly occur. To evaluate the success rate of the proposed model, a detailed five-step classification of harmful cyanobacteria levels was proposed. The modeling results demonstrated high prediction accuracy (62%) for harmful cyanobacteria. For the management of CyanoHABs, rather than chlorophyll-a, harmful cyanobacteria should be used as the index, to allow for a direct inference of their cell densities (cells/mL). The proposed method may help improve the existing Harmful Algae Alert System in South Korea.

Social and environmental risk factors for the accidental drowning of children under five in China

BackgroundAccidental drowning of children under five is a serious problem in China. The present study analyzed data on environmental and sociodemographic factors and on primary caregivers of drowned children to understand factors that may contribute to this problem.MethodsThe present study collected information on 563 cases of drowning in children under five from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, in 334 sampling districts in China. Primary caregivers were interviewed individually using the Drowning Mortality among Children under 5 Questionnaire.ResultsMost drowned children under 5 years old were boys, and 71.6% lived within 100 m of a body of water. The drownings primarily occurred in ponds, canals, rivers, and wells, and over 90% of these water bodies had no safety measures. There were 28.1% of primary caregivers who did not provide full-time care for the children, and 83.1% of them had no knowledge of first aid skills for drowning.ConclusionEncouraging kindergarten enrollment and providing safety education for children may reduce drowning in children under 5 years of age. Public water body protection measures should be strengthened to prevent children from drowning. Encouraging primary caregivers to care full-time for the children and learning first aid skills for drowning may also help reduce fatalities.

Simultaneous screening for chemically diverse micropollutants in public water bodies in Japan by high-performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap mass spectrometry

An improved assessment of environmental risks to public water bodies requires screening a large number of micropollutants. This study reports the development of a novel target screening method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE), HPLC, and high-resolution Orbitrap MS for the analysis of micropollutants with diverse chemical properties. First, target compounds were screened for their detectability by Orbitrap MS. An optimized SPE cartridge and HPLC column maximized recovery and separated most target compounds. The sensitivity and repeatability of the method was validated by determining the detection limits and relative standard deviation (RSD). Eighty-four compounds with highly diverse properties were simultaneously detected with detection limits of 0.1–100 ng/L. Of these compounds, 52 were quantitated, with R2 ≥ 0.99 by linearity analysis and SPE recovery ratios of ≥50%. The remaining 32 compounds were qualitatively detected, with R2 < 0.99 or SPE recovery ratio of <50%. Satisfactory repeatability was obtained (RSD < 13.5%). This method was applied to the surveillance of the Arakawa River in Japan in 2019. Thirty-two compounds, including pesticides, surfactants, plasticizers, adhesives, and industrial solvents, were detected in the river. The measured concentrations of 13 compounds were compared with their predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs). Decanoic acid showed a higher concentration than the corresponding PNEC value, suggesting that its risk to the Arakawa water environment required further evaluation. The concentrations of dicyclohexylamine, 1,3-diphenylguanidine, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were higher than their corresponding PNEC/10 values, demonstrating that these compounds were of higher priority than other compounds.

Evaluation of River Water Quality in Agricultural Watershed with the Environmental Standards

Japan has general environmental standards for organic matter in its public water bodies. However, there are no environmental standards for nutrient salts such as phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in river water. In this study, the water quality of rivers at normal water level was evaluated in agricultural watersheds by focusing on water quality standards. The investigated sites are in the Tokachi area (24 watersheds; upland and dairy farming) and the Nemuro area (11 watersheds; large-scale dairy farming), which are in Eastern Hokkaido. The investigations were carried out in the two agricultural areas in 2005, 2006 and 2012. Electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature were measured at the same time as river water samples were collected in the two areas. Water quality was analyzed for potential of hydrogen (pH), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS), total phosphorus (T-P), total nitrogen (T-N) and other values. Most of the values associated with organic matter, such as pH, BOD and SS, in river water were within the thresholds for the standards of The Environmental Standards Concerning the Conservation of the Living Environment (Rivers). In contrast, some values of nutrient salts (N and P) exceeded the thresholds (T-P≦0.1 mg/L, T-N≦1.0 mg/L). Many of the watersheds in the Tokachi area had T-N concentration in excess of 1.0 mg/L. This suggests that the concentrations of nutrient salts (P and N) increase with increases in agricultural land development in a watershed. For the evaluation of river water quality in agricultural watersheds, it was found to be necessary to measure both organic matter and nutrient salts as indices of water quality. And it was found that controlling the runoff of P and N from agricultural land is essential for water quality conservation in public water bodies.

Rhinosporidiosis in Central India: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Chhattisgarh.

Background and Aims:Chhattisgarh is an endemic region for rhinosporidiosis infection in Central India. This high prevalence can be explained by suitable hot tropical environment as well as social practice of common bathing of public with animals outdoor, mainly in ponds and river. There are more than 200 ponds in and around Bilaspur district, mainly in Ratanpur region. However, due to limited literature describing rhinosporidiosis from this part of India, it remains neglected and still not recognized as a serious health-care issue and any definite government or private measures/initiatives are not taken to counter this problem.Materials and Methods:It is a retrospective demographic study analyzing 113 consecutive biopsies received from different clinical departments in a tertiary care center with a histological diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis over a period of 7 years from January 2011 to December 2017.Results:Most of the patients presented in the otorhinolaryngology (86.7%) department, followed by ophthalmology (10.6%). The mean age of the patients was 23.4 years, with a range of 3–70 years. A male-to-female ratio of about 3:2 was noted. Nasal cavity was the most common site of involvement (90/113), followed by conjunctiva (7/113), nasal cavity with oropharynx (6/113), and eyelid (3/113). Patients' complaints showed a varying range from nasal block, nasal mass, bleeding, bleed on touch, difficulty in breathing, and conjunctival mass. Two of the cases presented as recurrent rhinosporidiosis.Conclusion:Rhinosporidiosis is endemic and possesses a great health-care burden in Chhattisgarh. The socioeconomic status, outdoor bathing, and cultural practice in rural areas are the major factors contributing to newer cases. An urgent government initiative to decontaminate public water bodies and public health education through health-care workers and nongovernment organizations is the need of the hour to curtail the incidence of rhinosporidiosis.

Testing the toxicity of metals, phenol, effluents, and receiving waters by root elongation in Lactuca sativa L.

Phytotoxicity tests using higher plants are among the most simple, sensitive, and cost-effective of the methods available for ecotoxicity testing. In the present study, a hydroponic-based phytotoxicity test using seeds of Lactuca sativa was used to evaluate the water quality of receiving waters and effluents near two industrial sites (Soyo and Daejon) in Korea with respect to the toxicity of 10 metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn) and phenol, and of the receiving waters and effluents themselves. First, the L. sativa hydroponic bioassay was used to determine whether the receiving water or effluents were toxic; then, the responsible toxicant was identified. The results obtained with the L. sativa bioassay ranked the EC50 toxicities of the investigated metal ions and phenol as: Cd > Ni > Cu > Zn > Hg > phenol > As > Mn > Cr > Pb > Fe. We found that Zn was the toxicant principally responsible for toxicity in Daejeon effluents. The Daejeon field effluent had a higher Zn concentration than permitted by the effluent discharge criteria of the Ministry of Environment of Korea. Our conclusion on the importance of Zn toxicity was supported by the results of the L. sativa hydroponic assay, which showed that the concentration of Zn required to inhibit root elongation in L. sativa by 50% (EC50) was higher in the Daejeon field effluent than that of pure Zn. More importantly, we proved that the L. sativa hydroponic test method can be applied not only as an alternative tool for determining whether a given waste is acceptable for discharge into public water bodies, but also as an alternative method for measuring the safety of aquatic environments using EC20 values, with respect to the water pollutants investigated (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn, and phenol).

Waterfront Development Concepts in Indonesia from the Perspective of Urban Planning and Environmental Sustainability

Rivers, lakes, beaches or other public water bodies have substantial and precious environmental values, and if properly managed, they can be a tremendous element towards a sustainable city. Within the context of urban planning and environmental sustainability, the harmonious balance between built and natural environment could not be avoided. The riverfront development concepts attempt to accomplish this balance by developing the necessary built environment while keeping the natural environment intact and provides ecological service. Since the concept of riverfront development is new to Indonesia or to most cities in Indonesia, it would be a good initiative to promote this concept. The riverfront development concept would bring the positive multiplier effects to urban development and ultimately to the well-being of urban citizens. This paper attempts to address the possibilities of riverfront development concept for its existence from the viewpoint of urban planning and environmental sustainability. This thought is based on personal lookout as well as relevant references. The study was carried out by observing some examples of waterfront development in some cities. Assessment on the regulations of riverfront related development was also undertaken. The study found that present approach on rivers or lakes or other public water bodies as the backyard of the development has brought to various environmental degradation. The riverfront concept is expected to reverse the situation for its numerous social, economic and environmental advantages. We suggest that this concept must be implemented elsewhere in Indonesia due to foreseeable returns towards sustainable urban development and sustainable cities.