FKM Unhas Introduces Nature-Based Clean Water Innovation in Barru
As part of its commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly community service, the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Universitas Hasanuddin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Public Health’s Coastal Domestic Water Research Group (CDWRG), conducted a community engagement program in Cilellang Village, Mallusetasi District, Barru Regency, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The program, themed “Application of Clean Water Treatment through Natural Coagulation-Filtration Processes,” was led by Dr. Agus Bintara Birawida, S.Kel., M.Kes., along with team members Prof. Anwar Daud, SKM., M.Kes., and Dr. Sri Handayani, S.Km., M.Kes. All three are permanent lecturers at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, with extensive expertise in environmental health, particularly in clean water management, sanitation, and community-based health promotion. Cilellang Village was selected based on the community’s urgent need for access to safe drinking water. The available water sources in the area are generally turbid, discolored, and have an unpleasant odor, highlighting the need for an immediate and sustainable water treatment solution. The activity began with educational sessions on the importance of clean water and its impact on public health, followed by a hands-on demonstration of a simple, nature-based water treatment system. The introduced method used Moringa oleifera seeds as a natural coagulant to bind impurities, followed by filtration through layers of activated carbon, pumice stone, and silica sand—significantly improving the water’s clarity and quality. At the end of the session, the water treatment unit was handed over to the community and village representatives, symbolizing support for local water management autonomy. This initiative not only provided a practical solution for clean water access but also aligned with national development goals and contributed directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By introducing a low-cost, easy-to-operate technology that utilizes locally available materials, LPPM Unhas and CDWRG are supporting key SDG 6 targets—improving safe water access, reducing water pollution, and enhancing community capacity for independent water management. It also serves as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and to build resilience against future water crises. More than just a technology transfer, this program reflects a concrete effort to address real community needs through scientific, collaborative, and culturally rooted approaches. Universitas Hasanuddin and CDWRG remain committed to empowering communities and fostering healthy, sustainable environments through ongoing engagement and innovation.