Although there has been some rain, the people are still lacking clean water.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Desalination technology used to turn sea water into consumable clean water could become a solution to the clean water crisis, according to National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) researcher Rachmat Fajar Lubis.
"For coastal areas, desalination is one of the solutions (for the inadequate supply of clean water)," he told ANTARA here on Friday.
According to Lubis, the desalination technology was implemented to treat the high salt content in sea water to obtain water that is safe for consumption by heating it to form water vapor that is then condensed to get drinking water.
"The coastal area of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is bathed in sun. (Hence, when the) sea water evaporates, the vapor can be collected (to be condensed to obtain drinking water)," Lubis, a researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, stated.
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To anticipate the clean water crisis when the dry season arrives, the community can also collect and store as much rainwater as possible during the rainy season.
The development of clean water supply infrastructure is also another effective solution to maintain water availability for the community. Hence, it is necessary to properly explore available water sources in the area.
The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Central Lombok District, NTB Province, had earlier stated that emergency status in the area due to the drought had not been revoked and was enforced until December 2022.
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"Although there has been some rain, the people are still lacking clean water," Head of Central Lombok District BPBD Ridwan Maruf stated in Praya, Central Lombok District, NTB Province, on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Lubis explained that once the drought ends and clean water supply is adequate in all regions in the province, his side will revoke the emergency status.
The regional BPBD has disbursed up to 10 tanks of clean water to several villages on a daily basis in accordance with the local community's requirement.
The clean water assistance is still available, so people in need of it can request for the aid through their respective village governments.
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Translator: Martha S, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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