Determination of Water Quality Status Using the STORET Method and Identification of Pollutants in the Kobe River, Central Halmahera Regency

Abstract

The Kobe River is one of the rivers in Central Halmahera Regency which is used for households, irrigation, fisheries, animal husbandry, and plantations. The Kobe River is located around the mining area which causes the condition of the Kobe River to decline. This study aims to determine the quality status of the Kobe River and identify the pollution that occurs in the river. The study began by collecting primary data in the form of water quality tests with parameters of temperature, DO, TSS, and Ammonium at 5 sampling locations. This study determines the Quality Status using the STORET method which refers to the Decree of the Minister of the Environment No. 113 of 2003 based on the value system of the US-EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The results showed that the determination of the quality status of the Kobe River was getting a score of 0 which was included in class A in the very good category with the status of the Kobe River meeting the quality standards so that it could be used according to its designation. Then obtained sources of pollution in the form of domestic waste and mining activities from PT Weda Bay Nickel and PT Tekindo Energy. Pollution control strategies that need to be carried out are determining the Pollution Load Capacity (DTBP) of the Kobe River, making communal wastewater treatment, making the study of the Kobe River DTBP as a basis for granting permits, and increasing law enforcement for activities/businesses that violate.