BRIN Strengthens Underground River Research in Kebumen for Water Security
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening water security research through technological development and the study of underground rivers in Kebumen Regency, Central Java, following up on President Prabowo Subianto’s attention to national water security.
On Sunday (2/8), BRIN Head Arif Satria visited Goa Barat in Kebumen Regency, a source of clean water utilised by the local community, while also observing potential research that could be developed.
‘This is one of the clean water sources for the local community. The research agenda we are currently undertaking is how to trace the flow of this underground river,’ Arif said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
The Head of BRIN emphasised that the agency is currently prioritising research to understand the characteristics of underground rivers, as a basis for developing technology that supports water security.
In addition to mapping the underground river flow, he stated that BRIN is also developing research to improve water quality. This effort follows indications of high levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in the underground river water, necessitating appropriate treatment technology so that it can be safely utilised by the community.
‘How we can solve the water quality problem, because the water in the underground river is suspected to contain high levels of E. coli. So we must provide a solution for proper water treatment so that the community can utilise water of excellent quality,’ he said.
During the visit, Arif also visited the Karangsambung Science and Technology Area (KST) in Kebumen to engage in dialogue with researchers there. The location serves as BRIN’s geological research centre, equipped with various facilities such as a geology museum, rock collections, and laboratories that support various geological studies.
Arif stated that the dialogue with researchers was a momentum to formulate BRIN’s strategic research direction, particularly in the fields of geology and water technology.
‘This is a very good opportunity to formulate our future research agenda in the field of geology, the direction of research in water technology, which will support our future water security,’ said Arif Satria.
Previously, BRIN had also presented 13 water security technologies to President Prabowo Subianto during a limited meeting on handling extreme weather and disaster management at the State Palace on 28 July 2026. On that occasion, the President expressed interest in the technology developed by BRIN as part of efforts to support national water security.