Environmental Economic Valuation of Water Utilization in Keceme Cave, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

• Edi Dwi Atmaja

  Universitas Gunung Kidul

  Author

• Agus Fitriyanto Hidayat

  Save Rescue Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

  Author

• Juni Putra Nugroho

  Emergency Respon Team, BPBD DIY, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

  Author

• Budi Dwisetiyani

  Pemuda Pecinta Alam Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

  Author

The Karst Region of Gunungsewu in Gunungkidul Regency is the largest karst area in Southeast Asia, containing significant potential for groundwater resources. However, due to its unique topography and karst morphology, much of this region experiences drought during the dry season. One of the potential water sources successfully utilized by local communities is Keceme Cave in Padukuhan Temuireng II, Girisuko Village, Panggang Subdistrict. This study aims to assess the economic valuation of the environmental services provided by Keceme Cave’s water and its contribution to community water resilience. The research methods include field observations, water quality tests, discharge measurements, and socioeconomic surveys of water users. The economic valuation was conducted using the cost-saving approach, comparing the costs of water from tanker trucks, water kiosks, and water sourced from Keceme Cave. The results show that water from Keceme Cave has a pH of 7.3–7.7, TDS of 331–358 ppm, EC of 644–776 µS/cm, and a temperature of 27.2°C. The average water discharge is 0.11 liters/second with a supply of 9,500 liters per day. Economically, the community has saved up to IDR 2.1 billion over six years of utilization. Beyond economic value, the use of this water source has fostered new awareness of cave conservation, shifted cultural perceptions toward caves, and strengthened community-based social networks.

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