Analysis and Mapping of the Distribution of Groundwater Recharge Areas Using the Scoring Method (Case Study: Singgahan and Montong District, Tuban).

Abstract Tuban Regency, located in the northern part of East Java, borders the Java Sea to the north and is intersected by several rivers. The presence of numerous rivers and limestone or karst hills in regions like Singgahan and Montong Districts suggests significant potential for these areas to function as groundwater recharge zones. A groundwater recharge area is characterized by the vertical movement of groundwater, driven by the flow of water along the gradient of aquifers. Identifying and preserving these recharge zones in Singgahan and Montong is crucial to maintaining the groundwater supply, ensuring its availability in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the ongoing needs of ecosystems and human consumption. This study utilizes a scoring method to identify potential recharge areas, incorporating parameters such as land cover, soil type, rainfall, and slope inclination. In this method, each parameter is assigned a specific weight: slope inclination (20%), soil type (35%), rainfall (15%), and land cover (30%). The analysis revealed that the land cover in these districts primarily consists of plantations, with 6,840.63 hectares in August and 6,761.88 hectares in October. The slope inclination in Singgahan District is predominantly flat, covering 8,417.68 hectares. Both Singgahan and Montong Districts experience low rainfall, with 57% of the total area, equivalent to 12,670.89 hectares, falling into this category. The most prevalent soil type is Cambisol, which constitutes 33% of the area, or 7,463.46 hectares. Using the scoring method, it was determined that in August, Singgahan and Montong Districts possess high potential for recharge areas, with high-level recharge zones covering 1,314.70 hectares and medium-level recharge zones spanning 18,498.78 hectares. By October, the extent of high-level recharge zones had increased to 3,499.20 hectares, while medium-level recharge zones covered 16,942.45 hectares. These findings underscore the importance of managing these recharge areas to sustain groundwater resources effectively.