UNAND Student Innovation Supports SDG 6 and SDG 12 through Electricity-Free Water Filtration Technology

Padang, September 6, 2022 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) students have developed an electricity-free water filtration device to help address water waste and environmental pollution caused by detergent wastewater from laundry businesses.

The innovation was created by a team from the Student Creativity Program for Applied Science and Technology, known as PKM-PI. The team consists of Rezza Fiqrathul Putra, Muhammad Rizqi, Nurul Qolbi, Muhammad Fathurrahman, and Faizal Hakiki from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Their program received funding from Belmawa through an applied science and technology proposal under the supervision of Dr. Eng. Dendi Adi Saputra M, S.T., M.T.

The device was implemented at Halona Laundry, an MSME located in Kapalo Koto Village, Pauh District, Padang City. The partner was selected because laundry businesses often face challenges related to high water consumption and detergent wastewater disposal. According to team member Rezza Fiqrathul Putra, the large amount of water used in laundry operations increases business costs, while detergent waste discharged directly into drainage channels can pollute the environment and disturb nearby residents.

Responding to this issue, the UNAND PKM-PI team designed a creative solution in the form of a water filtration device that operates without electricity. The system applies upflow anaerobic technology, where detergent wastewater from laundry activities is first directed into an anaerobic tube for sedimentation. The water is then processed through two filtration stages containing palm fiber, sand, zeolite stone, activated charcoal, and carbon fiber.

After the filtration process, the treated water is pumped into a special clean-water storage tank using a hydraulic ram pump. Since the pump does not require electricity, the technology offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for laundry MSMEs. The filtered water can then be reused for washing activities, helping reduce water consumption in daily operations.

Rezza explained that the water produced through the upflow anaerobic filtration system had been tested at the Water Laboratory of the Department of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Andalas. The test results showed that the treated water was safe to reuse and also safe to discharge into the environment without causing water pollution.

The owner of Halona Laundry, Alex, welcomed the innovation positively. He said the device is environmentally friendly and does not require electricity to operate. He also expressed hope that the technology would continue to help save water and prevent environmental pollution.

Dr. Eng. Dendi Adi Saputra M stated that the implementation of the PKM-PI program is expected to help the partner reduce operational costs, improve water-use efficiency, and overcome water pollution caused by detergent wastewater. He also hoped that the device could be adopted by other laundry MSMEs, so that its benefits would not be limited to Halona Laundry but could also contribute to reducing water pollution in Indonesia.

This student-led innovation strengthens UNAND’s contribution to SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation by encouraging wastewater treatment, water reuse, and safer management of detergent waste. By helping laundry businesses filter and reuse wastewater, the technology supports more responsible water management at the community and MSME level.

The program also reflects the spirit of SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production through a practical technology that helps small businesses use resources more efficiently. With its electricity-free system, the filtration device encourages laundry MSMEs to reduce water waste, lower operational costs, and adopt a cleaner production process.

Through this initiative, UNAND demonstrates how student innovation can provide practical solutions for communities and small businesses. The electricity-free filtration device shows that appropriate technology can support environmental protection, improve business efficiency, and contribute to sustainable development.