Sustainability assessment of community-based wastewater treatment plant: case study of Semarang District, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Current sanitation initiatives in Indonesia focus on community-based sanitation to promotes ownership and understanding of sanitation systems. However, the community has faced numerous challenges in maintaining the socio-economic and technical aspects of the community-based wastewater treatment system (CWWTP) in operation. This study aimed to identify and analyse the sustainability dimensions of CWWTP in Indonesia. In this study, a set of sustainability index (SSI) tools was proposed to evaluate the sustainability of CWWTP, which included environmental, social, economic, technological, and institutional aspects of the sanitation system. Rapid appraisal for fisheries (RAPFISH) method was adapted to evaluate the multidimensional scaling (MDS) approach within the proposed SSI. The applicability of developed SSI was demonstrated by evaluating the implementation of three CWWTP in Semarang district. Data was collected through direct observation, questionnaires, interviews, CWWTP design evaluation, and water quality analysis. Major findings indicated that Tegalsari CWWTP have higher sustainability index, while Pedalangan and Podorejo need to enhance technical efficiency, institutional structure, and community engagement. The leverage analysis identifies key performance drivers in the CWWTP management including operation & maintenance, user acceptance, O&M expenses, community involvement, and effluent water quality. This paper highlights adequate tools for sustainability assessments of CWWTP in Semarang district. Methodology and dissemination of the obtained results can be applied to other rural communities in Indonesia.