Juni 7, 2024 MANGUPURA-fajarbali.com | The Community Service Team of Warmadewa University (Unwar) which is funded by an institutional grant educates and trains water harvesting in Subak Balangan and Subak Uma Tegal, Kuwum Village, Mengwi District, Badung Regency.
Said Team Leader Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gusti Agung Putu Eryani, MT., accompanied by members, Dr. Ir. Ni Made Ayu Gemuh Rasa Astiti, MP and students from Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Planning (FTP) Unwar, Saturday (4/6/2024), explained that this service was held from the 2024 institutional service grant. The goal is to provide education and training in making water harvesting ponds with geomembrane (geotextile) materials to the subak member community selected through a subak member meeting for 10 water harvesting ponds in the subak area.
Water harvesting, said Eryani, is one solution to overcome the problem of drought and water scarcity that often occurs in Subak Balangan and Uma Tegal, especially during the dry season. According to him, subak is a traditional irrigation system in Bali that plays an important role in supporting agriculture, therefore, the creation of water harvesting ponds in Subak Balangan and Uma Tegal is a strategic step to maintain the sustainability of the agricultural system. "The goal is to overcome the problem of water shortages in subak, provide additional water sources for rice field irrigation needs and increase agricultural productivity by ensuring water availability throughout the year," added Prof. Eryani.
He continued, the steps for water harvesting are carried out by educating and socializing the importance of water harvesting and conducting direct training to the subak community on how to care for and manage ponds. The selected subak in the direct provision of geomembrane plastic and the provision of leaflets/brochures related to the process of making cubang/ponds from geomembrane/geotextile materials. The implementation process begins with determining a strategic location for the construction of water harvesting ponds. Conducting topographic measurements and analyzing soil conditions. The design of the pond is in accordance with the agreement in the subak member meeting 2 x 1.5 x 1 m with geomembrane material that will be used for pond construction. Construction for pond excavation and installation of geomembrane plastic involves the local subak community in the pond construction process. Ponds with a capacity of 3000 liters as many as 5 ponds in Subak Balangan and 5 ponds in Subak Uma Tegal, have been successfully built. An efficient water distribution system is connected to the rice fields in Subak Balangan and Uma Tegal. The benefits of water harvesting in community service from the team are more stable water availability throughout the year. Increased rice and secondary crop yields due to better irrigation. Community knowledge of water harvesting techniques and pond management has increased. The construction of water harvesting ponds in Subak Balangan and Uma Tegal is expected to have a significant positive impact on subak residents, in overcoming the problem of water shortages and increasing agricultural productivity, as well as providing useful education for the local community.
