Find out how Yayasan Air Minum Bersih is tackling the water scarcity crisis affecting Indonesia by providing clean and safe drinking water to schools and healthcare centres. Discover the impact of their efforts, and learn how you can help.
Written by Rika Andini
Indonesia is currently grappling with a severe water scarcity crisis, which is affecting millions of people across the country. With a population of 275 million, the demand for clean and safe drinking water is more pressing than ever before.1 The issue is particularly severe in schools and health centres, where inadequate water infrastructure is compromising the health and well-being of students, patients, and healthcare providers.
The lack of access to clean drinking water can significantly impact attendance rates and academic performance in schools. Students who do not have access to clean water are more likely to get sick due to poor hygiene practices or contaminated water supplies. This can lead to high absenteeism rates, as students stay home to recover from illness or lack proper nourishment due to limited access to food and clean drinking water. Furthermore, students may be forced to leave school prematurely if they need to assist their families with obtaining clean water or tending to crops during times of drought.
Inadequate access to clean drinking water also affects the quality of healthcare services in health centres throughout Indonesia. Without adequate sanitation facilities in place, patients are at risk of exposure to infection from contaminated surfaces or medical equipment used during treatments. Moreover, basic hygiene practices, such as hand-washing, cannot be carried out without access to clean drinking water, which increases the risk of disease spread within medical facilities and the larger community. The high levels of absenteeism among healthcare providers due to illnesses stemming from poor hygiene practices further exacerbate this problem by limiting the availability of resources from doctors and nurses.
Water scarcity and poor access to clean drinking water continue to impact millions of people in Indonesia, particularly in remote and water-stressed areas of the country. In response to this pressing issue, Yayasan Air Minum Bersih (AMB) was established with a mission to provide safe and clean drinking water as well as WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) education to schools, health centers, and communities in need.
AMB’s efforts primarily focus on improving access to safe drinking water sources in vulnerable rural areas that are frequently affected by extreme weather events like flooding or drought. They achieve this by installing wells and pumps, rehabilitating existing water sources, and building rainwater harvesting systems where feasible. Alongside this, they also offer training on proper sanitation practices and maintenance of these new sources of clean drinking water.
In addition to providing access to safe drinking water sources, AMB provides WASH education in schools and health centers located in the same area. This education focuses on teaching proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing with soap after using the toilet or before handling food. It also covers topics related to personal health, such as proper nutrition habits, malaria prevention, and basic first aid techniques. The aim is to empower local communities with the knowledge and skills they need to maintain healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases caused by lack of access to clean drinking water or inadequate hygiene practices.
Indonesia is grappling with a serious water crisis that affects over 25 million people who lack access to clean drinking water. This predicament has far-reaching consequences, especially for schools and health centers situated in remote and water-stressed areas.2
The main challenge faced by these institutions is the lack of reliable access to safe drinking water. Inadequate infrastructure or water scarcity in their region makes it challenging for them to provide clean water for their students or patients. Furthermore, even if a water source is available, it may be contaminated due to poor sanitation practices, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
Apart from the challenges of accessing clean water, schools and health centers in Indonesia face financial constraints. The installation of infrastructure such as pumps, pipes, and purification systems is costly, making it unaffordable for many institutions. Furthermore, the additional expenses associated with hiring personnel or maintaining equipment must be considered when planning for clean drinking water access.
The inadequate access to clean water in Indonesia has significant negative impacts on both health and education outcomes. Poor sanitation practices due to a lack of clean water lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, which are fatal, especially for children. The absence of proper sanitation practices also contributes to the quick spread of other infectious diseases such as malaria.
In addition, the burden of collecting and carrying water often falls on children, especially girls, leading to absenteeism from school, which affects their educational outcomes. The gender gap in educational attainment in Indonesia can be attributed to the lack of access to clean drinking water.
The absence of clean water also affects health care outcomes. Sanitation and hygiene practices that depend on clean water are critical for quality care provision. Without clean water, health centers and hospitals cannot provide adequate care for patients or prevent the spread of infections. Furthermore, clean drinking water is necessary for medical procedures such as surgery and wound care, which are crucial for patient safety and better health outcomes.
Air Minum Bersih has implemented various methods to provide clean drinking water to schools and health centers located in remote areas. One of their highly effective techniques is the installation of Carocell Solar Water Purification systems in these facilities. These systems use advanced filtration technologies to treat water, ensuring that it is safe for human consumption. Air Minum Bersih also makes sure that the Carocell Solar Water systems are regularly maintained and serviced to guarantee optimal performance.
Another method utilized by Air Minum Bersih is the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in schools and health centers. These systems gather and store rainwater, which is then treated and purified utilizing the same advanced filtration technologies as the Carocell Solar Water systems.
Not only rainwater but also seawater, groundwater, and contaminated or polluted water. This is made possible due to the advanced filtration technologies used in the Carocell Solar Water system, which can effectively purify the water, removing any harmful contaminants and making it safe for consumption. Additionally, the use of rainwater harvesting systems can help to reduce the reliance on other sources of water, such as groundwater or surface water, which may be contaminated or of poor quality.
The Carocell Solar Water Purification system is an innovative solution that employs a multi-stage process to transform polluted water sources into safe and high-quality drinking water. This system relies on gravity or a solar pump to bring polluted water into feeder pipes, which is then heated by the sun and vaporized. The resulting water vapor condenses on the inside of the panel enclosure and runs down into a pure water outlet, free from impurities and contaminants. This advanced filtration technology has revolutionized the provision of clean drinking water to schools and health centers in remote areas where access to clean water sources is limited.
The Carocell Solar Water Purification system is highly efficient and sustainable, producing between 80-125 liters of clean drinking water per day. With a lifespan of 15-20 years, it provides a long-term solution to water scarcity in remote areas, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. Carocell Water is modular, scalable, and customizable, meeting the specific water needs of any community. The system is entirely powered by the sun, making it an ideal solution for off-grid areas with limited access to electricity.3
The installation, maintenance, and operation of the Carocell Solar Water Purification system are straightforward and require minimal technical expertise. Local communities can actively engage in installing and maintaining this off-grid water solution, ensuring its sustainability. Additionally, the long lifespan, low maintenance requirements, and zero ongoing expenses make Carocell Solar Water an attractive and sustainable solution for remote communities in need of safe and clean drinking water.
Air Minum Bersih works with Carocell Solar Water to provide clean drinking water to schools and health centers in remote areas using the Carocell Water Purification system. Before installing these systems, many of the communities that AMB serves had no access to clean drinking water at all or had limited access due to the distance or difficulty of transportation. As such, many of these people are forced to rely on contaminated river water for their needs, leading to health risks from various contaminants found in such water sources.
One such success story involves the installation of Carocell Solar Water’s filtration system in Mariasa’s home in Karangasem, Indonesia. Prior to the installation, Mariasa had to walk several kilometers to fetch water from a nearby river, which not only took up a significant amount of time but also impacted his academic performance and overall health. However, after the installation of the Carocell Solar Water Purification system, Mariasa and his family gained access to a sustainable source of safe and clean drinking water, significantly improving their health outcomes and quality of life.
Another successful partnership involved the installation of the Carocell Solar Water Purification system in a health center in Bebandem, Karangasem. Prior to the installation, the health center was using 28,000 plastic bottles per year, resulting in large amounts of unnecessary waste each year. With this installation, the health center not only gained access to clean drinking water but also significantly reduced their plastic bottle waste.
Air Minum Bersih and Carocell Solar Water’s partnership has not only improved access to clean drinking water but also helped to address the environmental impact of plastic bottle waste. By providing sustainable and efficient solutions for clean water, they are not only improving the health and well-being of individuals but also contributing to the larger goal of sustainable development.
Carocell Solar Water’s technology has also been successfully installed in primary schools in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand. In Bangladesh, 1,300 solar water purification systems have been set up using Carocell panels and rainwater collection to provide clean drinking water for school children in the coastal region. These initiatives have been successful in reducing waterborne diseases and improving attendance rates in schools, as children no longer have to miss school due to water-related illnesses. Carocell Solar Water’s technology has proved to be a sustainable, long-term solution for remote areas with limited access to clean water sources, and the organization continues to work with local communities to expand their reach and impact.
Carocell Technology has been at the forefront of providing sustainable solutions for clean drinking water in remote areas around the world. As of now, they supply 182,500,000 liters of drinking water annually in over 30 countries globally. Their technology has been a game-changer in providing clean drinking water to schools, health centers, and other community settings in areas where access to clean water sources is limited.4
Carocell has received support from several aid agencies worldwide. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Red Cross, USAid, World Vision, Canada Aid, Unicef, Oxfam, Water Aid, and World Concern are among the organizations that have supported Carocell’s efforts.
Water scarcity in Indonesian schools and health centers is a pressing issue that directly affects the health outcomes and quality of life of communities living in remote areas. By partnering with organizations such as Carocell Solar Water Purification, AMB plays a critical role in promoting clean drinking water and WASH education in these areas. In addition to installing water purification systems, AMB conducts educational programs on proper water management, hygiene, and sanitation practices, providing communities with the knowledge and tools needed to sustain their clean water sources and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. AMB’s work is a reminder of the importance of addressing water scarcity in a sustainable and effective manner, and that access to clean water is a basic human right that everyone should have.
Individuals can contribute to improving the health and well-being of communities in need by supporting AMB’s efforts. By nominating schools in need of clean water and supporting their cause, together, we can create a better future for everyone. Visit AMB’s website or social media platforms to learn more about their work and support their mission. Your donation can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need access to clean drinking water and WASH education. By working together, we can address the issue of water scarcity in Indonesia and ensure that everyone has access to clean water, a basic human right that should not be denied to anyone.
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AHU-0020799.AH.01.04 Tahun 2022
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Berita Negara No 080 Tahun 2022
Akta Notaris
no 09, 30 September 2022
AMB Digital 2022
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