UPI helps Cibiru Wetan residents gain access to clean water

Twenty families in Cibiru Wetan, Bandung Regency, now have access to treated water after an automated filtration system began operating in early August 2026. Residents had previously relied on pump and dug wells whose water appeared yellowish and smelled of iron.

The system came as a donation from the Community Service team of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia’s Computer Engineering program. The project, led by Anugrah Adiwilaga, involved university staff and students in installing the equipment and training residents in its operation and maintenance.

The treatment process combines several stages. Water passes through a fiber-reinforced plastic tank containing zeolite, silica sand, manganese greensand and activated carbon. It then undergoes ultrafiltration, ultraviolet sterilization and hydrogen-peroxide injection controlled by a microcontroller.

Residents took part in the installation, with the project aiming to build local capacity to manage the facility independently. Socialization began at the Cibiru Wetan village hall on Aug. 6, followed by installation on Aug. 7 and 8.

Adi M Lukman, head of RW 10, welcomed the donation and said residents would establish a dedicated management team to operate and maintain the facility. The program supports the Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and sanitation, health, and innovation and infrastructure. The university team scheduled assessments of water quality and residents’ maintenance knowledge for Sept. 2, followed by broader technical and nontechnical monitoring on Sept. 4.

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We are very grateful for this donation. Going forward, we will establish a dedicated management structure responsible for maintaining and operating this clean-water facility.