Community Dependence on Non-Piped Water Sources as an Indicator of Urban Water Supply System Performance Risk(Case Study: Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh City)

Abstract

Urban water supply systems are essential infrastructure that play a crucial role in ensuring safe, adequate, and sustainable access to drinking water for urban communities. However, the presence of piped water supply systems is not always accompanied by optimal levels of utilization. Limitations in system performance—particularly in terms of service reliability, service quality, and public acceptance—may encourage communities to rely on non-piped water sources as the primary alternative for meeting drinking water needs.

This study aims to analyze community dependence on non-piped water sources as an indicator of performance risk in urban water supply systems in Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh City. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using secondary data obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), particularly Village Potential Data (PODES), as well as regional population data. The analysis is conducted descriptively and interpretatively by examining dominant drinking water source patterns as functional indicators of system performance, based on the level of service utilization by the community.

The results show that all gampong in Syiah Kuala District rely on non-piped water sources—especially refill drinking water—as the primary drinking water source for most households. This finding indicates that the piped water supply system has not yet functioned optimally as the main source of drinking water for the community. Such dependence reflects performance risks in the urban water supply system, particularly related to service reliability, water quality control, and public trust in piped water services.

This study concludes that community dependence on non-piped water sources can serve as an early indicator of performance risk in urban water supply systems. This approach is relevant as a basis for evaluating water service performance and formulating policies to improve sustainable urban drinking water provision, especially in areas with high population density.

Keywords: urban clean water supply system; non-piped water sources; performance risk; drinking water; urban area