Analysis of Waste Management at Kopi Luhur Landfill: Public Administration Adaptation to Environmental Crisis in Cirebon City

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FORMOSA NEWS - Cirebon - Groundwater Contamination Near Cirebon Landfill Raises Public Health Concerns. A 2026 study by Helsa Mutiara Rahmawati, Nisa Aulia Apriliyanti, and Sindi Nurazizah from Self-Help University of Gunung Jati, Indonesia, reveals severe environmental risks surrounding the Kopi Luhur Landfill in Cirebon City. Published in the Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences, the research highlights alarming levels of groundwater contamination linked to poor waste management practices. The findings matter because they directly affect public health, urban sustainability, and the effectiveness of local government policies in rapidly growing cities.

Growing Waste Crisis in Urban Indonesia
Cirebon, like many urban areas in Indonesia, faces increasing pressure from population growth and rising consumption patterns. The Kopi Luhur Landfill, the city’s primary waste disposal site, has reached or exceeded its operational capacity. This situation reflects a broader national issue: waste management systems that still rely heavily on landfills rather than waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable processing. The researchers from Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati emphasize that this dependence on landfills creates long-term environmental risks. As waste accumulates without proper treatment, harmful substances seep into surrounding soil and water systems. This problem is not only environmental but also administrative, highlighting gaps in public policy implementation and governance.

Simple Approach, Comprehensive Analysis
The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach based on literature review. Helsa Mutiara Rahmawati and her colleagues analyzed data from government reports, academic journals, and official environmental sources. This method allows them to build a comprehensive understanding of the issue without relying on a single dataset. The research is framed through an ecological perspective of public administration, which examines three interconnected dimensions:

• Natural dimension: environmental conditions and ecological impact.
• Non-natural dimension: policies, institutions, and governance systems.
• Digital dimension: the role of technology in waste management.

By combining these perspectives, the researchers from Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati provide a holistic view of how waste management failures translate into environmental and public health risks.

Key Findings: Dangerous Levels of Pollution

The study identifies serious contamination in groundwater near the Kopi Luhur Landfill. The most critical findings include:

• Fecal Coliform levels reached 12,000 Jml/ml, far exceeding safe limits for human use.
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels surpassed acceptable thresholds, indicating high organic pollution.
• Strong evidence of heavy groundwater contamination, particularly affecting communities near the landfill.

These findings confirm that waste leakage from the landfill has infiltrated local water sources. Residents who depend on groundwater for daily needs face increased exposure to harmful bacteria and pollutants. The Research explains that the situation reflects systemic weaknesses. She notes that conventional waste management practices are no longer sufficient to handle modern urban waste volumes, leading to escalating environmental damage.

Public Health and Policy Implications

The implications of this research extend beyond environmental concerns. Contaminated groundwater poses direct health risks, including waterborne diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. In areas where households rely on wells, the danger becomes immediate and unavoidable. From a policy perspective, the findings highlight the urgent need for reform. Local governments must move away from landfill-centered systems and adopt more sustainable waste management strategies. These include waste reduction at the source, improved recycling systems, and better infrastructure for waste treatment. The study also points to the importance of adaptive governance. Without flexible and responsive policy frameworks, cities like Cirebon will struggle to manage the growing complexity of urban waste.

Author Profile
Helsa Mutiara Rahmawati is a researcher in public administration at Self-Help University of Gunung Jati, specializing in environmental governance and public policy.
Nisa Aulia Apriliyanti and Sindi Nurazizah, who are also affiliated with Self-Help University of Gunung Jati and focus on public administration and sustainability studies. Together, their work examines the intersection of governance, environment, and urban development.

Source
Rahmawati, Helsa Mutiara; Apriliyanti, Nisa Aulia; Nurazizah, Sindi. “Analysis of Waste Management at Kopi Luhur Landfill: Public Administration Adaptation to Environmental Crisis in Cirebon City.” Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences (FJAS), Vol. 5, No. 2, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i2.26
URL:https://journalfjas.my.id/index.php/fjas