BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) is sending Mobile Water Treatment Plant (IPA) technology to help meet the clean water needs of disaster-affected communities in Aceh. The equipment left Bandung on December 19, 2025, and is now en route to Aceh. This activity showcases the ITB academic community’s contribution to emergency response and post-disaster recovery.

This program is a collaboration between ITB, the Directorate of Community Service and Expertise Services (DPMK), and the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. It also involves the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FMAE/FTMD) ITB. Other contributors include Paragon Corp, ITB Alumni Association (IA ITB), Salman Charity House (RAS), Salman Mosque Trustees Foundation ITB, and LAPI Foundation ITB.

The delivery of the Mobile Water Treatment Plant (IPA), a portable system that treats raw water into potable (drinkable) water, was led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Bagus Budiwantoro from the Engineering Design and Production Research Group, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) ITB. This unit can process water from sources like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

“This Mobile Water Treatment Plant (IPA) is portable and designed for use in places with limited access to clean water or during emergencies. The device was developed collaboratively by a multi-skilled team at ITB,” said Prof. Bagus.

In addition, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, ITB distributed a second clean water filter technology to the community in Sukajadi Village, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang, through a collaboration with Paragon Corp. The filtration system installed on the banks of the Tamiang River processes cloudy river water through two stages of filtration to produce clear water suitable for use. With a production capacity of up to 7,200 liters per hour, this system can serve the clean water needs of 1,200 – 1,600 residents for bathing, washing, sanitation, and drinking.

The presence of this Mobile IPA technology and water filtration system is expected to help meet the basic needs of disaster-affected communities, particularly by providing safe, usable, clean water, while also supporting post-disaster recovery in the Aceh region. Furthermore, it represents a tangible contribution from the ITB academic community, providing technological solutions with a direct impact on the community.