Collaborative water governance model for potable urban water supply in Riau Province, Indonesia

The literature suggests that collaborative governance is a promising framework for addressing complex public problems while some cases have also marked failure in its implementation. Furthermore, the complexities and factors of the collaborative governance context must be understood at the early stage, as they may affect its sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to understand ‘what works and what doesn't’ and the need for sustainability of urban potable water management in Dumai City, Rokan Hilir Regency, and Bengkalis Regency through cross-sectoral collaboration and develop the best model to be developed for this collaboration. This study uses a soft system methodology in the urban potable water supply system of Riau Province with a wide range of stakeholders through in-depth interviews, thematic analysis, and the creation of purposeful activity models and rich pictures to uncover and address complex issues. The study found that the implementation of collaborative water management in urban areas with the collaborative water governance approach has worked well in the short term. However, it has not enhanced organizational autonomy or fostered trust and reciprocity dimensions in the long term. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of a collaborative supervisory board that will open internal and external opportunities.