Water Quality Dynamics of Sumber Suko Spring in East Java, Indonesia: Towards Sustainable Management

Authors

  • Zahrin Hamidiana

    Department of Environment Sciences, Graduate School, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
  • Maftuch

    Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
  • Soemarno

    Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
  • Ferry Prasetyia

    Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i1.11846
Received: 28 August 2025 | Revised: 16 September 2025 | Accepted: 23 September 2025 | Published Online: 16 January 2026

Abstract

Springs are vital freshwater sources for rural communities, yet they are increasingly threatened by nutrient enrichment, microbial contamination, and declining ecological integrity. This study assessed the water quality of Sumber Suko Spring in East Java, Indonesia, through an integrated ecological approach combining physicochemical, microbiological, biological, and hydrological parameters across wet and dry seasons. Physicochemical results showed stable temperature (24.1–26.7 °C), near-neutral pH (6.4–6.9), and adequate dissolved oxygen (6.2–7.4 mg/L). However, nitrate concentrations were elevated (39.37–48.16 mg/L), exceeding natural background levels and indicating agricultural leaching, while phosphate values ranged between 0.12–0.21 mg/L. Microbial analysis revealed high total coliform counts (24 CFU/100mL), far above WHO standards, although E. coli was not detected. Plankton analysis identified 10 genera, with Microcystis aeruginosa dominating, particularly in the dry season, signaling risks of eutrophication. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H’) ranged from 1.25 to 1.67, with evenness values between 0.43 and 0.56, reflecting low-to-moderate community stability. Hydrological measurements showed seasonal discharge fluctuations from 14.6 L/s in the wet season to 7.8 L/s in the dry season, strongly correlated with rainfall. Overall, the integration of nutrient enrichment, coliform contamination, and cyanobacterial dominance indicates that Sumber Suko Spring is under ecological stress and does not meet drinking water standards without treatment. The findings highlight the urgent need for source protection, disinfection, and continuous monitoring within a water safety plan framework. This study provides evidence-based insights to support local policy alignment with WHO guidelines and emphasizes the importance of community participation in sustaining spring ecosystems for long-term water security.

Keywords:

Spring Water Quality; Nitrate Contamination; Coliform Bacteria; Microcystis aeruginosa; Eutrophication; Hydrological Variability; Sustainable Water Management

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How to Cite

Hamidiana, Z., Maftuch, Soemarno, & Prasetyia, F. (2025). Water Quality Dynamics of Sumber Suko Spring in East Java, Indonesia: Towards Sustainable Management. Research in Ecology, 8(1), 128–139. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i1.11846

Issue

Vol.8, Iss.1 (February 2026)(in progress)

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Zahrin Hamidiana, Maftuch, Soemarno, Ferry Prasetyia

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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