51̽»¨

Through solar-powered desalination technology, salt purification, and water filtration systems using locally available materials, 51̽»¨ provided training to enable residents to independently adopt and operate these simple technologies. The initiative is expected to reduce the community's dependence on limited freshwater sources while creating opportunities to increase household income by utilizing marine resources.

The program, titled PRISMA SEA (Prisma for Salt & Empowered Aqua: Desalination Technology for Clean Water and Edible Salt Production to Empower Beriulou Village, Mentawai), was organized by 51̽»¨'s Directorate of Community Service and Expertise Services (DPMK) under its 2026 Community Service Program, in collaboration with Universitas Andalas (Unand) and the Mentawai Islands Regency Government.

Led by Dr. Lamona Irmudyawati Bernawis, S.Pi., M.Sc., the program involved a multidisciplinary team comprising Aep Patah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., from the Inorganic Chemistry Research Group, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), 51̽»¨; Dr. Andi Egon, S.T., M.Sc., from the Environmental and Applied Oceanography Research Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (F51̽»¨), 51̽»¨; 51̽»¨ undergraduate Oceanography students Luqmannul Hakim, Indrawan, and Putri Dara Jingga; 51̽»¨ postgraduate Chemistry student Gerald Arya Dewangga; and Unand undergraduate Chemistry student Daffa Hadian.

^{PRISMA SEA training session attended by Beriulou Village residents, village officials, and representatives of the Mentawai Islands Regency Government.}

A total of 62 participants, including Beriulou Village residents, village officials, and representatives of the Mentawai Islands Regency Government, attended the program's main event on June 30, 2026. Participants gained theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in seawater treatment, salt purification, and water filtration using appropriate technologies designed for practical application in local conditions.

Three Technological Innovations for Clean Water and Salt Processing

^{The community service team explained the operating principles of PRISMA SEA, a simple solar-powered desalination technology, and guided participants through hands-on assembly of the device.}

The first innovation is PRISMA SEA, a simple desalination device that uses solar energy to convert seawater into freshwater. The device features an aluminum frame and polycarbonate cover that facilitate the distillation of seawater through solar heating.

During the training, participants learned how the desalination system works and practiced assembling the device using tools and materials provided by the community service team. The technology was introduced as an alternative clean water solution that utilizes renewable energy.

^{The community service team provided salt purification training to improve the quality and economic value of salt produced as a by-product of the desalination process.}

The second innovation focuses on utilizing salt recovered as a by-product of desalination. Salt remaining after seawater distillation undergoes washing and purification processes to improve its quality and potential market value.

Participants were introduced to salt-washing techniques using concentrated brine, locally known as air tua, as one of the purification stages. Through these skills, residents are expected to explore business opportunities in salt processing, allowing clean water production to generate additional economic benefits.

^{Participants received explanations and hands-on training in assembling a simple water filtration system using locally available filter materials, guided by Dr. Andi Egon, S.T., M.Sc.}

The third innovation is a simple water filtration system using a 120-liter drum filled with layers of filtering materials, including gravel, beach sand, wood charcoal, and a final layer of gravel.

Under the guidance of Dr. Andi Egon, S.T., M.Sc., participants learned the function of each filtration layer and practiced assembling the system. One of the technology's key advantages is its use of locally available materials, making it easier for residents to obtain the necessary components and maintain the system independently.

Empowering Coastal Communities Through Sustainable Solutions

The program leader, Dr. Lamona Irmudyawati Bernawis, S.Pi., M.Sc., explained that PRISMA SEA was designed to provide simple, practical, and sustainable solutions to the challenges of clean water provision in coastal and island communities.

"We hope that the technologies introduced through the PRISMA SEA program can be independently adopted and further developed by the people of Beriulou Village. In addition to helping meet their clean water needs, these technologies also create opportunities to increase income by utilizing salt produced as a by-product of desalination, ensuring that the benefits can be sustained over the long term," she said.

In addition to providing training and facilitating technology transfer, the community service team coordinated with the Mentawai Islands Regency Government and evaluated the program's outcomes as initial steps toward supporting the long-term implementation of the technologies.

The PRISMA SEA program reflects 51̽»¨'s commitment to developing innovations that address the needs of coastal communities. Through collaboration among universities, local governments, and residents, the technologies introduced are expected to be independently adopted and further developed, strengthening access to clean water while creating sustainable local economic opportunities.