March 22 is annually commemorated as World Water Day. This aligns with the agreement made at the 47th United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 1992.
World Water Day has been commemorated since 1993 as an effort to raise global awareness about the importance of clean water and the sustainable management of water resources.
The main focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation for all.
According to the UN website, World Water Day 2023 carries the theme “Be The Change.” The meaning of the 2023 World Water Day theme is to encourage people to take an active role in using, consuming, and managing water for the sustainability of their lives.
On this occasion, Twin Hosea Widodo Kristyanto, M.T., a lecturer from the Geology study program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), revealed several benefits of the lake located at UI, commonly known as Danau UI, which serves as a water catchment area.
Twin Hosea stated that the function of Danau UI is as a water catchment area that benefits not only UI but also the wider Depok area, including helping to reduce the impact of floods and supporting water needs during droughts.
“The presence of the lake in the UI area certainly supports the environmental carrying capacity of the Depok region. Its benefits include contributing to reducing the impact of floods and droughts by storing large amounts of water and releasing it during periods of water shortage, such as prolonged dry seasons,” said Twin Hosea on Tuesday (March 21, 2023).
Lake UI, said Twin, is also useful for recharging groundwater or recharge in the UI area. Thus, it can positively affect the quality of the groundwater beneath it due to the natural filtration process that occurs in the soil layers.
Furthermore, he revealed that, indirectly, Danau UI also contributes to regulating the microclimate conditions in Depok City in relation to the hydrological cycle.
“Danau UI can also play a role in preserving biodiversity and habitats in the UI area. It provides a clean water supply for animals living on the campus grounds specifically, and in Depok City more broadly,” he explained.
He believes that these varied benefits, when viewed as an integrated system, will help enhance the environmental carrying capacity in the areas surrounding UI and Depok City.
It should be noted that UI has six lakes, namely Danau Kenanga, Danau Aghatis, Danau Mahoni, Danau Puspa, Danau Ulin, and Danau Salam.
“We need to maintain the quality of these UI lakes so that their benefits can be sustainable,” he said.
