ParagonCorp and ITB Help 1,200 Aceh Tamiang Residents Access Clean Water

Approximately 1,200 residents in Sukajadi Village, Aceh Tamiang, now have access to clean water thanks to large-capacity water filtration technology developed through collaboration between ParagonCorp, an Indonesian purposeful beauty tech company, and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) via ITB’s Directorate for Community Service and Alumni Affairs (DPMK).

The technology has been introduced to help communities obtain safer water sources whilst reflecting the spirit of ParagoNation’s collaboration in delivering benefits to society.

At the water filter handover ceremony, ParagonCorp was represented by Corporate Communication Officer Neli Rahmawati and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Dwi Eliani, whilst ITB was represented by Director of Public Relations Laila Arif.

ParagonCorp’s Director of Corporate Affairs Astri Wahyuni stated that collaboration between industry and higher education institutions plays a crucial role in delivering solutions with direct impact on communities. “Access to clean water is a fundamental need critical to people’s quality of life. Through collaboration with ITB and DPMK ITB, we hope this water filtration technology will provide real benefits to the people of Aceh Tamiang. Simultaneously, we are complementing this effort through the construction of several borehole wells so that more residents can benefit from clean water access. This collaborative spirit also reflects ParagonCorp’s commitment alongside ParagoNation to continue delivering impactful and sustainable solutions for society,” she said in a written statement.

Laila similarly viewed the collaboration as an exemplary use of technology to address community needs. “This collaboration represents our commitment to delivering technological innovation that provides direct benefits to society. Through the development of this water filtration system, ITB hopes that the knowledge and technology developed on campus can contribute to addressing real community needs, particularly in providing access to clean water. We also appreciate the collaboration with ParagonCorp, which has made it possible to implement and directly benefit the people of Aceh Tamiang,” she stated.

The water filter has been installed in Sukajadi Village, Karang Baru Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang, at the edge of the Tamiang River, which has been a primary water source for residents. The system works by drawing river water, which is initially turbid, and processing it through two filtration stages to produce clear water suitable for use and even consumption.

The filtered water is then stored in large-capacity tanks before being distributed to water tanks in residents’ homes in Sukajadi Village. Through this distribution system, approximately 1,200 people can now utilise clean water for various daily needs, ranging from bathing and laundry to sanitation and drinking water.

In addition to home distribution, some residents also come directly to the filter location to collect water. During Ramadan, particularly approaching breaking-of-fast time, community members are seen queuing with empty containers to fill clean water from the filtration system.

The water filtration system has a production capacity of up to 7,000 litres per hour, making it capable of supplying large quantities of clean water to the community. The filter unit was shipped from Bandung to Aceh Tamiang, taking approximately one week of travel before installation and deployment by residents.

Beyond introducing water filtration technology, ParagonCorp has also strengthened clean water access for communities through the construction of dozens of borehole points in several Aceh Tamiang areas affected by disasters. These boreholes complement the existing water supply system, enabling residents in various locations to access water sources more conveniently.

Through a combination of filtration technology and new water sources, ParagonCorp hopes communities can obtain more stable and sustainable clean water access whilst supporting improvements in local health and welfare.

The technology has also brought real stories from local residents. One account involves an infant who had suffered from diarrhoea for nearly a month with no improvement despite receiving treatment. After the family began using water from the filtration system, the infant’s condition was reported to gradually improve until full recovery.

This collaboration exemplifies synergy between higher education and the industrial sector in delivering technology-based solutions with direct community benefits. Going forward, it is hoped that more similar collaborations can be developed to bring impactful and sustainable innovations to Indonesian communities.