Optimization of Infiltration-Based Water Recharge System for Urban Stormwater and Flood Mitigation

Abstract

Urban waterlogging caused by high-intensity rainfall represents a critical hydrological challenge in rapidly developing cities, including along Dayanu Ikhsanuddin Street, Lipu Sub-district, Baubau City, Indonesia. The problem is exacerbated by inadequate drainage infrastructure, which significantly disrupts daily community activities and urban mobility. This study aims to: (1) quantify the volume of surface water ponding based on maximum daily rainfall data, (2) assess the soil infiltration capacity of the study area, and (3) design an optimized infiltration well system as a sustainable stormwater management solution. Maximum daily rainfall data spanning 10 years (2014–2024) were obtained from the Betoambari Meteorological Station and analyzed using four probability distribution methods: Normal, Log Normal, Gumbel, and Log Pearson III. In-situ soil infiltration rates were measured using the Horton method with a double ring infiltrometer. The infiltration well design was developed by integrating hydrological analysis results with site-specific soil infiltration parameters. The expected outcomes include an optimally designed infiltration well system tailored to local soil conditions, capable of significantly reducing surface waterlogging while simultaneously supporting groundwater recharge and conservation. Practically, this research provides a technical basis for sustainable drainage planning in Baubau City; theoretically, it contributes to the advancement of applied hydrology, particularly in the implementation of infiltration-based technologies in tropical urban environments