ITS Campus, ITS News — The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) has once again demonstrated its humanitarian commitment by inaugurating an innovative clean water installation in a flash flood and landslide disaster area in Aceh, specifically at the Raudhatul Mukarramah Al Aziziyah Islamic Boarding School in Pidie Jaya. This project is a solution for residents struggling to access clean water due to the impact of the flash floods and landslides in the area.

Dr. Catur Arif Prastyanto, ST, MEng, Deputy Head of the ITS Center for Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Studies (PILB), explained that the location selection was the result of extensive discussions between the ITS Disaster Response Team and Syiah Kuala University (USK). “The location in Pidie Jaya Regency was chosen based on its proximity to raw water sources and ease of operation and maintenance,” explained the lecturer from the ITS Civil Engineering Department.

According to Catur, this innovation is the brainchild of two experts from the ITS Environmental Engineering Department: Prof. Arseto Yekti Bagastyo, ST, MT, MPhil, PhD, and Ervin Nurhayati, ST, MT, PhD. This system boasts the extraordinary ability to convert turbid river water into clean water with a capacity of up to 2,000 liters per hour. The device is designed to operate continuously, but under ideal conditions, it operates for 8 to 10 hours per day, depending on raw water availability and distribution.

Catur explained that the secret to this device’s efficiency lies in its purification method, which uses electrocoagulation to reduce turbidity without chemicals. The purification process is then followed by membrane removal. “Because it doesn’t use chemicals to reduce high turbidity, operational costs can be very cheap,” he said.

The success of this project is inseparable from the strong synergy between academics and practitioners through the strategic collaboration of PILB under the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DRPM) ITS. The team collaborated with the ITS Civil Engineering Alumni Association (ALSITS), the ITS Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (IKA), and industry partners such as PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk, PT PP (Persero) Tbk, PT Wijaya Karya (Wika) (Persero) Tbk, and PT Selaras Alam Varia Energi.

The success of this installation was also supported by inspiring figures, from the Head of PILB ITS, Prof. IDAA Warmadewanthi, ST, MT, PhD, to the General Secretary of ALSITS, Lucia Karina. The massive commitment of the alumni network was the main driving force of this humanitarian mission, identifying locations most in need of clean water sources in disaster areas.

To ensure this assistance was not temporary, the students were provided with hands-on training in the field on the equipment’s operation. Given its simple operation, which only involves cleaning mud and replacing electrodes, maintenance of this equipment does not require special skills.

This step ensures that access to clean water will become a long-term health legacy for the quality of life of the people of Pidie Jaya. Going forward, further development is expected, particularly in the electrical energy conversion system, to make it more effective and efficient. “We hope this device can be produced entirely domestically and utilized optimally by the community,” Catur stated hopefully.

This humanitarian action, which aims to ensure the availability of clean water and public health, aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly point 6 on Clean Water and Adequate Sanitation, and point 3 on Healthy and Prosperous Living. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Nur Anisa Alya Eriska
Translator: Devinka Mutianeira