Universitas Andalas KKN Students Introduce Simple Water Purification Technology to MTsM Muaro Paneh Students in Support of SDG 6 and SDG 4

Universitas Andalas community service students participating in the KKN program carried out an educational water purification activity at MTsM Muaro Paneh on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, through a demonstration of murky water filtration using simple materials. This activity is closely related to SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 4 on Quality Education, as it not only introduced the importance of access to clean water but also provided students with practical science-based learning.

The activity began with an explanation of the tools and materials needed, the steps for assembling the filter, and the practical use of the water purification device. Before the experiment started, the KKN students also conducted an interactive class discussing the concept of water filtration, the importance of waste management, and how the filtration system works. Active learning methods were used with the help of teaching aids, educational images, and digital technology to make the material easier for students to understand.

In the demonstration, the students used discarded 1.5-liter plastic bottles as the main tool, along with other low-cost and easily available materials such as cotton, sponge, fine sand, zeolite, coarse gravel, activated carbon, and dirty water. The used plastic bottles were cut into a funnel shape and then filled with filtration layers in sequence to filter murky water into clearer water. This approach also showed students that simple materials around them can be used for beneficial purposes.

The filtration process was carried out by slowly pouring dirty water into the layered bottle filter. The water then passed through each filtering layer and came out in a clearer condition. In their explanation, the students emphasized that although the filtered water appeared cleaner, it was not automatically safe to drink without further purification. This simple filtration method was mainly intended to reduce large particles, turbidity, and certain contaminants.

The activity received a very enthusiastic response from the students of MTsM Muaro Paneh. They followed each stage of the experiment with great excitement, from cutting the plastic bottles to observing the changes in the clarity of the filtered water. When the water, which had initially been murky, started to come out clearer, the atmosphere was filled with cheers and applause. This enthusiasm showed that practice-based learning can stimulate curiosity, active discussion, and students’ interest in science and technology.

Through this activity, Universitas Andalas KKN students not only provided technical knowledge about water filtration but also raised awareness of the importance of clean water and plastic waste management. The interaction built between the university students and the school students also served as an inspiration that science can be applied to solve real problems in the surrounding environment, while encouraging students to continue learning and pursue higher levels of education.