The Community Service Team from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Universitas Brawijaya, along with 15 Chemistry undergrad...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
This activity targeted 20 households with a focus on improving clean water quality for the community.
The program was chaired by Dr. Layta Dinira, S.Si., M.Si., along with Prof. Dr. Ani Mulyasuryani, M.S., Prof. Barlah Rumhayati, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Prof. Akhmad Sabarudin, S.Si., M.Sc., Dr.Sc. Collaboration between lecturers and students undertaking Community Service Programs (KKN) demonstrates the university’s role in addressing the community’s fundamental issues related to clean water.
The program is implemented through several stages, starting with designing tap water filters, collecting water samples before the installation, providing education and mentoring on how to make them, and then installing them and evaluating water quality after use. The initial stage, conducted from July 7–11, 2025, involved a water survey and respondent interest survey involving 20 housewives in Talangsuko Village.
The survey results showed that 95% of respondents were interested in using tap water filters. None of the households had ever independently tested their water quality. From the 21 water samples tested, no harmful heavy metals such as copper, mercury, iron, lead, or chromium were found. However, nearly all samples (20 out of 21) were detected to contain nitrate above the safe threshold according to Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023, and fluoride ions above the threshold according to Indonesian Government Regulation No. 2 of 2023. 22 of 2021. One sample was even detected as containing nitrite exceeding health standards. Furthermore, all samples had high hardness levels above 200 mg/L.
In response to these results, the team conducted educational and mentoring sessions on making tap water filters on July 21, 2025. Twenty participants, mostly housewives (85%), participated in the activity. The material covered the importance of clean water, types of contaminants in water, and how to maintain tap water filters. Participants were also encouraged to assemble a simple tap water filter.
This educational activity demonstrated an increase in understanding. Before the activity, some respondents still misunderstand the function of clean water and the dangers of contaminants. Seventy-five percent of respondents still considered household water is safe for all purposes without filtration. After the education, participants understood that clear water is not always safe to use, also the importance of replacing filter materials regularly.
The next phase is the installation of tap water filters in 21 households and post-use water quality testing. Tap water filters were proven to reduce nitrate concentrations to below 20 mg/L in half of the samples, and completely remove fluoride and nitrite. Hardness levels were also significantly reduced, with 14 of the 20 samples reaching the normal limit of below 200 mg/L.
However, several samples still did not fully meet standards, particularly for nitrate and hardness content. This indicates the need for further development of filter technology to more optimally reduce various chemical contaminants in water.
Overall, this program has successfully increased public literacy regarding the importance of clean water quality and provided a real solution through appropriate tap water filter technology. Through this program, the residents of Talangsuko Village now have a better understanding of household water management. It is hoped that this simple yet effective tap water filter technology will inspire the community service team and other villages to provide affordable, practical, and healthy water solutions. (FMIPA-UB PKM TEAM/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
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Taxonomy
- Household Water Treatment
- Filters
- Water Quality
- Water Hardness
- Water, Waste Water Chemical & Treatment
- Domestic Water Use