ACTNews, GUNUNGKIDUL - A square building dominated painted in orange and green lies in front of a small mosque in Grogol Village, Paliyan Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The soil around the mosque was arid as drought hits the area located in the east of Yogyakarta. The river in front of the musala was dry.

The square building is a water reservoir for the water from the Waqf Well which is located right in front of the mosque. The Waqf Well built by Global Wakaf in 2018 continues to provide water to this day. In fact, the dry season that hits Gunungkidul each year does not affect the water supply from the well.

Winarno, one of the residents who is also a member of the Masyarakat Relawan Indonesia (MRI) said that the current drought does not affect the volume of the water that comes out. The borehole well is deep enough to allow water to continue to flow.

"This well is very useful for the local residents, especially during the dry season like now," said Winarno, Monday (8/12).

From the Waqf Well’s water reservoir, a pipeline was built to the local’s houses. In addition to providing water for the worshippers, the Waqf Well also provides water to the residents of the Karangmojo Hamlet, Grogol Village, Paliyan Subdistrict. The water is carried using pipes that reach tens to hundreds of meters from the Waqf Well to the bathrooms in their respective homes.

Sri, one of the local residents who benefit from the Waqf Well said that since the well was constructed in 2018 until now, she did not need to worry about the water crisis. The well never dries up even in dry season.

"This water is for bathing, laundry, and consumption. Dozens of families use the water from the Waqf Well, so there's no need to worry too much about the current dry season," Sri said, Monday (8/12).

Difficult source of water

In another village in Paliyan, in the village of Pengos, hundreds of families are affected by the drought. There are no wells in the village. The area that consists of karst rocks makes the water source hidden at a very deep point underground.

Karmujiyanto, a resident of Pengos Village, said that in his village there have been efforts to dig wells. However, they haven’t found any water sources despite having reached the depth of 85 meters. He explained that the water sources are probably at the depth of 100 meters, even more.

"In Gunungkidul, the source of water is very deep and difficult to reach. There’s probably water in underground rivers beneath. To dig a borehole well needs a large amount of money. The residents here can’t afford it, " said Karmujiyanto.