Carrying capacity and environmental capacity of water resources analysis in Maluku Province of Indonesia

Abstract

Carrying capacity and environmental capacity of water resources is the ability of the water to support human life, other living creatures, and the balance between the two as well as the ability of the environment to absorb substances, energy and other components that enter or are incorporated into it. The purpose of this research is to analyze the level of carrying capacity and environmental capacity of water resources in several regencies in Maluku Province, Indonesia. The results showed that some water resources were already in a low environmenttal capacity due to limited availability, especially deep groundwater in Wamar Island, Aru Archipelago Regency and the environmental capacity of water resources had exceeded the quality standards set in Indonesia, especially fresh water in Southeast Maluku Regency and Ambon City. Meanwhile, the environmental capacity of fresh water that has exceeded the quality standard is due to the presence of e-colly bacteria. This condition shows the importance of water conservation through regulating human behavior that is not environmentally friendly, building rainwater control and runoff control infrastructure as well as law enforcement efforts related to watershed maintenance and the behavior of communities around water resources.