SANITATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN UNIVERSITAS SINGAPERBANGSA KARAWANG’S POJOK KULINER MAINTENANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Abstrak

This study aims to evaluate the sanitation facility management system at the Pojok Kuliner bathroom of Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang (UNSIKA) by analyzing its infrastructure conditions, water quality, user experiences, and compliance with health and sustainability standards. A qualitative descriptive approach was used with field observations, semi-structured interviews, and laboratory testing of water samples. The data analysis was conducted through data reduction, thematic classification, and conclusion verification techniques. The results revealed that while basic maintenance efforts such as filtration and daily cleaning were in place, water quality remained below acceptable standards, with pH levels of 5.8 and the presence of microbial and chemical contaminants. The bathroom layout lacked inclusivity and accessibility, and no formal complaint mechanism or performance monitoring system was identified. These deficiencies reflect a lack of strategic planning, participatory supervision, and sustainable sanitation practices. The study also found significant user health concerns, especially among female students, linked to exposure to contaminated water. This research highlights the urgent need for an integrated, data-driven sanitation management model in higher education institutions. It contributes a novel evaluative framework that combines facility audit findings, user-based insights, and education management principles to support regulatory compliance, infrastructure improvement, and user wellbeing.