Prolonged Dry Season: Kemesu Residents in Gunungkidul Pool Funds to Buy Water, Sharing One Tank Among Five Families

Drought has once again hit several areas in Gunungkidul Regency during the current dry season. One of the affected areas is Kemesu Hamlet, Semugih Village, Rongkop District, where residents struggle every year to secure water supplies for their daily needs.

The limited water sources force the community to purchase water independently or rely on water drops from the government. One resident, Wakino, said his family and several other residents have to pool their money to buy clean water. In a single purchase, one tank of water costs around Rp120,000 and is used by four to five families.

"We have bought it twice. One tank costs around Rp120,000," he said recently.

"We pool our money. So the expenses are not too high. The water is shared among several families for bathing, drinking, washing, and even giving water to the cows and goats," he added.

He explained that the residents of Kemesu Hamlet have long been heavily dependent on rainwater because they lack adequate water sources. In addition to buying water independently, residents also regularly receive water drop assistance from the government. The water is stored in communal tanks before being used by the community for cooking, bathing, washing, and watering livestock.

"There has been regular assistance, and this greatly helps residents obtain clean water," he said.