UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) students have installed rainwater harvesting systems in Muara Pantuan Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.
The village is located at the mouth of the Mahakam River, where most residents work as fishermen and aquaculture farmers. In addition to installing rainwater harvesting systems, the KKN team set up household-scale independent solar power systems in Tani Baru Village.
In a statement to the press on Monday (Jul. 22), Rama Banin Maula, a member of the UGM KKN-PPM team, explained that the rainwater harvesting technology is expected to meet the clean water needs and electricity supply for the residents of two out of three villages in the Mahakam delta.
“We hope this technology will help meet the clean water needs,” he said.
Maula mentioned that reaching the location takes a one-hour land journey from Samarinda to Anggana District, followed by a 3-4 hour boat ride from the Mariam River port to Muara Pantuan and Tani Baru.
“Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the local community and village officials,” he explained.
In Muara Pantuan, almost every house has a water tank and uses rainwater for daily activities. However, rainwater collected directly into tanks without filtration tends to be dirty and mixed with sand and rust.
The Gama Rain Filter system will purify this rainwater into clean raw water that can be used directly for daily needs.
After conducting surveys and coordinating with the local community, Maula said the 2024 UGM Petualangan Mahakam team chose the Muara Pantuan Village Office as the rainwater harvesting system installation site.
“We considered a location accessible to all village residents, hence the choice of the village office,” he said.
Muara Pantuan Village Head Edi welcomed the arrival of the UGM KKN-PPM students, who had been deployed in 2023. He hopes this new visit will boost the local economy and provide education to help the village develop its potential.
“We welcome the UGM students to Muara Pantuan with their program, hoping it will improve the local economy,” he said.
Gede Agung Krisna Ambara, Head of the Petualangan Mahakam, explained that installing the Gama Rain Filter technology is expected to serve as an example of how rainwater can be used to meet water needs when equipped with filtration systems.
In addition to installing rainwater harvesting technology, Ambara said the UGM team also educated the community on properly using and maintaining this technology. Installing the rainwater harvesting systems in Muara Pantuan is expected to help residents access clean water easily and affordably.
“This technology can also improve the quality of life and help protect the environment,” he added.
Fauzul Idhi, Head of the East Kalimantan Kagama Regional Board, welcomed the initiative of the UGM KKN-PPM students in addressing the clean water crisis in the coastal areas of East Kalimantan.
“Through collaboration and mutual assistance, the KKN students have created a better future for the community and environment in Muara Pantuan,” he said.
Author: Gusti Grehenson