THE ROLE OF REGIONAL COMPANIES IN DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF DRINKING WATER, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY
Anggiat Sinurat1, Pinondang Nainggolan2, Marulam MT Simarmata3, Wiko Tarigan4
Faculty of Economic, Universitas Simalungun, Indonesia
Faculty of Economic, Universitas Simalungun, Indonesia
Faculty of Aggriculture, Universitas Simalungun, Indonesia
Faculty of Economic, Universitas Simalungun, Indonesia
Abstract
This research was conducted as a form of collaborative service of Simalungun University lecturers in research on the customer survey of Tirtauli Regional Public Company, Pematang Siantar Regency, This study aims to determine the role of Tirtauli Regional Public Company in developing the area from the perspective of water availability, Real Demand Survey, and Willingness To Pay which are carried out descriptively with the Mixed Method paradigm. Data collection techniques were carried out by distributing questionnaires, interviews by surveyors and documented studies. The results of the study concluded, Tirtauli Regional Public Company have a very important role in developing the region as an institution (socio-economic infrastructure) through drinking water processing as a basic human need that must be fulfilled and sustainable, which is shown by: (1) Water Balance, it turns out that the availability of natural resources clean water managed by the company is still a surplus of 54.10 million liters/day. With the projected population and customer water needs in 2026, there will still be a water surplus of 32.28 million liters/day; (2) Customer satisfaction with a total value of 6.54 (satisfied category); (3) The results of the F-test, that customer education, income, number of family members, and customer satisfaction have a positive and significant effect on Willingness To Pay, but partially the most dominant factor in WTP is customer satisfaction. It is suggested that Tirtauli Regional Publik Company should improve customer satisfaction and carefully consider the policy of increasing water rates, because the company’s operations are still economically viable.
Keywords: The Role of Regional Companies, Development, Availability of Drinking Water, Customer Satisfaction, Willingness to Pay