PIAS ITB Talkshow: Innovation and Collaboration to Address Future Water and Sanitation Challenges

Repoter: Raihan Zhafar – Environmental Infrastructure Engineering Student, 2021

JATINANGOR, itb.ac.id – The Master program in Environmental Infrastructure Engineering (PIAS ITB) held a talk show titled “Addressing Future Challenges in Water and Sanitation” at the Seminar Room, Labtek 1B, ITB Jatinangor Campus on Tuesday (November 19, 2024). The event invited experts, practitioners, and alumni of PIAS to discuss crucial issues and opportunities in the clean water and sanitation sectors, which are major concerns in Indonesia.

The Head of the PIAS ITB Program, Ir. Ahmad Soleh Setiyawan, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration to tackle the complex issues of clean water and sanitation.

Ir. Yuniati, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., discussed the sustainability challenges in the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM), focusing on quantity, quality, and continuity, as well as the importance of digitalizing PDAM management to reduce water leakage.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Prayatni Soewondo, M.S., elaborated on the concept of sustainable sanitation and technological innovations such as constructed wetlands and anaerobic upflow filters, designed for disaster-prone areas and specific geographical conditions.

Ir. Elprida Agustina, S.T., M.T., explored the importance of integrating technology and spatial analysis in waste management, highlighting future challenges such as TPA operational failures, electronic waste management, and the potential of waste-to-energy technology.

Alumni of PIAS also made valuable contributions during the event. Ir. Winarko Hadi Susilo, S.T., M.T., Commissioner of PT Bemaco Rekaprima, shared his successful experiences in the private sector, while Anggi Wulandini, an official at the Directorate of Settlement and Housing Engineering, discussed how government policies can support the sustainable management of water and sanitation infrastructure.

The event explored various solutions and opportunities to address challenges in the water and sanitation sectors, such as the development of household-scale water treatment technologies, the application of circular economy principles in waste management, and enhanced cross-sector collaboration.

This event served as a strategic platform to understand the crucial roles of policy, technology, and education in achieving SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

Ir. Ahmad Soleh Setiyawan hopes that this talk show will inspire various parties to contribute to solving water and sanitation issues in Indonesia.

The talk show not only provided in-depth insights to participants but also reinforced PIAS ITB’s commitment as a pioneer in producing experts capable of bringing real change to the environmental sector.