The Impact of Waste Disposal from Bos Taurus Livestock on Water Resources and the Environment in Kandangtepus Village, Senduro District, Lumajang

Abstract

Kandangtepus Village, located on the slopes of Mount Semeru, is one of the main dairy farming areas in Lumajang Regency, where household-scale livestock activities serve as the primary source of livelihood. These activities generate large amounts of waste that remain unmanaged according to basic sanitation principles and pose risks of water, soil, and residential environmental pollution. The urgency of this study lies in the need to understand current waste management practices as a foundation for designing community service interventions suited to the local social context and capacity. This paper aims to examine household-level dairy cattle waste management practices, identify community perceptions of environmental risks, and formulate initial solutions that the village government can follow up to improve waste management. A descriptive qualitative approach was applied through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and field observations involving 12 farmers from four hamlets. The analysis focused on waste disposal patterns, barn sanitation, proximity of barns to residential areas, and environmental conditions such as drainage systems and river water quality. The findings indicate that 75% of respondents still dispose of waste directly into rivers and 91.7% lack treatment facilities. Field observations showed open drainage channels, barns located very close to houses, and signs of pollution such as discolored water, organic sediment, and foul odors. Although all respondents understood the risks, most were unwilling to participate in training, demonstrating a clear gap between knowledge and action. The study concludes that waste issues are driven more by behavioral factors, social norms, and the absence of village regulations than by limited facilities alone. Therefore, initial interventions should prioritize increasing community awareness and developing village policies on barn sanitation and waste disposal as the first steps toward a more structured and sustainable waste management system.