PERSEPSI MASYARAKAT SEKITAR TERHADAP INDIKASI PENCEMARAN SUNGAI MURONG BERKAITAN DENGAN LIMBAH CAIR INDUSTRI TAHU DI KECAMATAN JOGOROTO KABUPATEN JOMBANG

Community Perceptions of Indications off Pollution in the Murong River Related to Liquid Waste from the Tofu Industry in Jogoroto District, Jombang Regency

Abstract

This study is based on the condition of the Murong River, which flows through the tofu industrial center in Jogoroto District and receives liquid waste from tofu production activities. At the same time, the Murong River remains closely connected to community life, particularly in relation to settlements and agricultural activities. This study aims to describe the perceptions of communities living around the industry regarding indications of pollution in the Murong River and to examine how these perceptions vary according to the proximity of their residences to the river. The study was conducted in two hamlets, namely Dusun Bapang in Sumbermulyo Village and Dusun Murong in Mayangan Village, both located in Jogoroto District, Jombang Regency. The research employed a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. The sample of this study consisted of 53 respondents selected through accidental sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, observation, and documentation. The research instrument was a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire consisting of 37 statements. These statements were developed based on Slovic’s (1987) dimensions of risk perception, namely dread, uncertainty, and controllability. The data analysis procedures included editing, coding, tabulation, mean calculation, percentage analysis, categorization, and descriptive analysis by hamlet and distance zone.  The results show that community perception falls into the high category, with a total mean score of 3.83 or 76.6%. The controllability dimension obtained the highest score at 4.12, followed by dread at 3.79 and uncertainty at 3.58. Perception in Dusun Murong was higher (3.97) than in Dusun Bapang (3.79), while the highest score by zone was found in Zone 1 (4.03). This study concludes that indication off pollution in the Murong River should be understood as both an environmental and a social issue.