ITB Community Service Team Implements Ultrafiltration Membrane Technology for Drinking Water Supply in Domas Village
Pontang District, Serang Regency, Banten Province – November 5, 2025
A community service team from the Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung, ITB), particularly from the Environmental Engineering Study Program at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FTSL), has successfully installed an advanced water filtration system in Domas Village to address the critical shortage of clean drinking water. This initiative, conducted on October 10-11, 2025, introduced ultrafiltration membrane technology to provide safe, potable water for the local community.
Addressing Urgent Water Challenges in Domas Village
Domas Village, located in the Pontang District of Serang Regency, Banten Province, has long struggled with access to clean water. The village’s well water is saline, impacted by seawater intrusion, with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) readings exceeding 700 mg/L — levels that render the water unsuitable for direct consumption. Compounding the issue, the nearby river completely dries out during the dry season, leaving villagers dependent on limited supplies of refilled water gallons and irregular deliveries from the local water utility (PDAM).
As Asmarudin, Head of RT 09 in Domas Village, explained, “When it’s the dry season, we usually buy water from tanker trucks. For daily drinking, residents use refilled gallon water. River water cannot be used, and well water is only for bathing, not for cooking or drinking.” His observations were echoed by Kholish, a local implementing team representative: "About 90% of the water here is brackish, and drinking water availability is very scarce."
Innovative Ultrafiltration Solution
In response to these pressing challenges, the ITB community service team implemented an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system—an effective technology that filters contaminants from water by forcing it through fine membrane pores sized between 0.01 and 0.1 micrometers. This process removes suspended solids, bacteria, and colloidal particles. The resulting filtered water (permeate) meets potable water standards and can be consumed immediately.
Dr. Rofiq Iqbal, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., who led the ITB team, highlighted the advantages of ultrafiltration: “This UF technology is efficient, requires minimal use of chemicals, and is straightforward to operate—making it an excellent alternative to conventional, more complex treatments such as coagulation and flocculation.”
Project Implementation and Community Collaboration
The installation phase included setting up a complete filtration unit with a 500-liter capacity storage tank and an integrated pre-treatment system to ensure water quality compliance. Preparations involved constructing a sturdy foundation for the equipment, a task that posed some logistical challenges.
The project was carried out under ITB’s Top-Down Community Service Program Scheme, Phase I of 2025, which emphasizes solving critical community problems through technology and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program involved an initial location survey conducted in July, followed by the installation activities in October. The project was conducted with coordination and support from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and local stakeholders in Domas Village.
To guarantee long-term sustainability, the team established a village foundation responsible for managing the equipment and providing technical training for system maintenance. “We have also instructed the village technical head on routine procedures such as periodic draining and effective usage,” added Dr. Iqbal.
Positive Reception and Future Impact
The residents have warmly welcomed the initiative. Asmarudin expressed his gratitude, stating, “If there is assistance like this, I am thankful. Hopefully, we can use this well water as drinking water for our community.”
This project not only improves public health and living standards in Domas Village but also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Industry Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
About ITB
Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) is one of Indonesia’s premier institutions, focusing on advancing science, technology, arts, and humanities to address complex societal challenges through innovative research, education, and community service programs.
Contact
ITB Ganesha Campus
Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Coblong, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat, Indonesia 40132
Email: humas@itb.ac.id
For more information about ITB community service activities and technological innovations, visit ITB’s official website.
Reported by Azka Madania Nuryasani, Microbiology Student, 2022
Edited by M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
