M2ReG FT ULM Team Installs Water Purification Equipment for Coastal Communities in Batola  

Banjarbaru – Materials and Membranes Research Group (M2ReG) Team, Faculty of Engineering, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), initiated by Prof. Muthia Elma installed water purification equipment for coastal communities in Barito Kuala (Batola) Regency, South Kalimantan.

“We are installing filtration equipment and membranes created by the M2ReG research team to purify river water,” said Muthia in Banjarbaru, Tuesday (19/3/2024).

The location that was targeted was Tinggiran II Luar Village in Tamban District because it has long faced challenges in gaining access to clean water. It is known that many clean water supply pipe connections from the government and regional drinking water companies are still not reached by this infrastructure in this village. Therefore, people have been forced to rely on river water as the main source for their daily needs, even though the water is murky and unfit for consumption.

There are even some residents who are forced to buy clean water to Banjarmasin City by crossing the river using a boat and carrying jerry cans filled with water over quite a distance. Muthia stated that the community service activity was a progressive step in overcoming the clean water crisis in Tinggiran II Luar Village.

With the installation of filtration equipment and membranes, it is hoped that the quality of river water can be improved significantly so that people can use it for various household purposes without worrying about health risks.

“The installation of filtration equipment and membranes is not just a short-term solution, but is also a long-term investment for the welfare of the people of Tinggiran II Luar Village.

It is hoped that with this infrastructure, the health and quality of life of the village population will improve significantly in the future. Then, according to Muthia, the active participation of the local community in assisting the process of installing filtration equipment and membranes shows the spirit of mutual cooperation that is still strong among the residents.

Collaboration between various parties, including PT. Adaro, through social programs in partnership with M2ReG as implementing facilitator, has formed a solid foundation for building sustainability in water resource management in the region.

“It is hoped that the results of innovative work from academics implemented in community service activities can be an inspiration for other villages in the surrounding area and throughout Indonesia,” she said.