Poor watershed management has resulted in environmental degradation and has resulted in increasingly competitive use of water resources. The balance between demand and supply of water in the upstream watershed area as a water recharge area becomes difficult to obtain. The main parties most affected are the poor in the upstream watershed. This research was carried out in two villages in Bulukumba Regency and Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi with the aim of producing an effective and efficient residential-based independent water resource management model in the upstream watershed that ensures a balance between demand and sustainable supply. The participatory action research (PAR) method is used as an approach in conducting research. PAR prioritizes participatory action, assessment, and learning through regular mentoring to encourage interactive community participation. In describing the general condition of the research location, qualitative descriptive analysis was used. Domestic water supply and demand are calculated based on the number and rate of population growth. The results showed that the settlement-based water management model in the two villages was able to produce water that exceeds the need and in sufficient quantity and quality in a sustainable manner. From the process of implementing the activities for 3 years, it can be seen that the PAR approach with mentoring has an impact on increasing the community's ability, self-confidence, and increasing their motivation to manage their natural resources better together. The PAR process also triggers an increase in public perception and trust in assistance from outside parties so that subsequent programs are more easily accepted by the community

Poor watershed management has resulted in environmental degradation and has resulted in increasingly competitive use of water resources. The balance between demand and supply of water in the upstream watershed area as a water recharge area becomes difficult to obtain. The main parties most affected are the poor in the upstream watershed. This research was carried out in two villages in Bulukumba Regency and Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi with the aim of producing an effective and efficient residential-based independent water resource management model in the upstream watershed that ensures a balance between demand and sustainable supply. The participatory action research (PAR) method is used as an approach in conducting research. PAR prioritizes participatory action, assessment, and learning through regular mentoring to encourage interactive community participation. In describing the general condition of the research location, qualitative descriptive analysis was used. Domestic water supply and demand are calculated based on the number and rate of population growth. The results showed that the settlement-based water management model in the two villages was able to produce water that exceeds the need and in sufficient quantity and quality in a sustainable manner. From the process of implementing the activities for 3 years, it can be seen that the PAR approach with mentoring has an impact on increasing the community's ability, self-confidence, and increasing their motivation to manage their natural resources better together. The PAR process also triggers an increase in public perception and trust in assistance from outside parties so that subsequent programs are more easily accepted by the community.