Amid the rise of digital technology, data has become a crucial asset in various sectors, including efforts to preserve the environment. One significant implementation can be seen in the work produced by the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Student Team in creating an infographic titled Smart Water Management System based on Big Data: An Innovative Solution for Access and Quality of Clean Water in Indonesia. The team consisted of Mahardi Nalendra Syafa, Hanna Marie Octavia Br. Simanjuntak, Fabima Fadhlin Minallah Zidta. This work not only earned them 2nd place at the 2024 Statistika Ria dan Festival Sains Data, but also provided valuable insights into how technology can be applied to address clean water issues in Indonesia.
The infographic deeply explores the challenges Indonesia faces in providing access to clean water, which is projected to decline further due to population growth and the impacts of climate change. The Smart Water Management System (SWMS) developed by the UGM team utilizes big data technology to manage large amounts of data in real time. This allows for more efficient monitoring and management of water resources and provides quick solutions to distribution and quality issues.
The proposed solution through SWMS not only focuses on optimizing water usage but also introduces key components such as Water Separators, Water Cleaning, Pumping Stations, and Risk Management in clean water management. As a result, the system is capable of providing comprehensive solutions to the challenges of clean water provision, from management and monitoring to distribution.
According to data presented in the infographic, the availability of clean water in Indonesia is projected to continue decreasing until 2035, while 7 out of 10 households in Indonesia are reported to consume contaminated water. This challenge is becoming increasingly urgent, given its significant impact on public health and the environment. Therefore, the approach proposed by the UGM team through SWMS aligns with global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
Harnessing Data Innovation for the Common Good
More than just a competition, the work produced by the UGM team is a real example of how data processing can be transformed into practical solutions to address the clean water crisis. They successfully combined data analysis expertise with technological innovation to create a system that is both applicable and relevant to the real problems faced by Indonesia.
In this context, their work also supports the Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), where the use of technology plays a key role in creating sustainable infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of the broader community.
In addition to providing technical solutions, the infographic also raises public awareness of the importance of better water management. With informative and easy-to-understand data visualization, this work invites all parties to be more aware of Indonesia’s clean water issues and to seek solutions together. The UGM team has not only proven their ability to innovate but also conveyed an important message that every individual can contribute to preserving clean water availability through technology and collaboration.
Driving Change through Collaboration and Technology
The success of the UGM team serves as an inspiration for other students to continue developing skills in data analysis and information visualization, as well as to contribute more to solving the critical problems facing the nation. With the Smart Water Management System infographic, they have demonstrated that environmental innovation is not only important but also very feasible to implement.
Their work is evidence that Indonesia’s young generation has great potential to create positive change, whether through technological innovation or interdisciplinary collaboration. In the future, it is hoped that solutions like this can be more widely adopted, helping to create more efficient and sustainable water management systems throughout Indonesia.
Keywords: Student Achievement, Technological Innovation, Big Data
Author: Hanna Marie
Editor: Endang Sulastri
Photo: Hanna Marie