Plupuh (03/08/2023) Clean water is a primary human need to meet all human activities that occur. Consuming water that has high levels of hardness and lime can cause chronic health problems due to the deposition of these contents in the body.
The water from PAMSIMAS Cangkol Village, especially in Kebayanan 3, has high levels of lime, this condition can trigger chronic health problems, especially the kidneys. In order to help overcome this condition, Ghalib Ptam Arrafi, one of the KKN Team II students at Diponegoro University, carried out a monodisciplinary program “Demonstration of Simple Water Filtering Using Zeolite Stone.” Using water filtering can help reduce the hardness level of the water used. Zeolite stones are used to reduce hardness levels in water. The reaction that occurs in hard water with zeolite is that the zeolite stone will absorb the ions that cause hardness with an ion exchange reaction.
The water filtration program will be implemented using 1.5 liter bottles with 7 layers, consisting of the first layer using cotton. The second layer uses zeolite stone. The third layer uses cotton piled with gravel. The fifth layer uses cotton and charcoal. The sixth layer uses cotton again. Filtering is done by pouring water from the top of the filter and waiting until the water is filtered and if it is still cloudy then the filtering process is carried out again. Once the water is felt to be clear, measurements are taken using pH paper. A total of 18 kg of zeolite stone, 4 kg of silica sand and 2 models of low pressure filters were also provided to help the community.
Water Filtration Model Using Zeolite Stone with Backwash System
The activities carried out at the Kebayanan 3 community association began by providing an understanding of the simple dangers of hardness and lime in water and a simple explanation of the mechanisms that occur in this water filter. Demonstrations were also carried out to increase public enthusiasm for improving the quality of their drinking water. With this activity, it is hoped that the community will be able to filtrate lime in their PAMSIMAS water. Diponegoro University’s P2KKN also directed to add the need to procure water filters in the January 2024 Budget Draft for several villages affected by chalky and hard water.
Reporting : Ghalib Pram Arrafi (Water Resources Management)
Field Supervisor: Dr. Dr. Stefani Candra Firmanti, M.Sc (NIP 198404202008122003)
