Personal Assignment 1 Character Building: Kewarganegaraan

Summary

In this interview, Diana Stuti Permatasari (Dian) speaks with Faisal, an expert in water treatment, to discuss the challenges of desalinating seawater to make it potable. Faisal explains the use of electric heaters for desalination and highlights the issue of high total suspended solids (TSS) in seawater. The conversation also covers the importance of water safety standards, chemical handling, and the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in maintaining safety. Faisal also touches on the state of water access in his hometown, Sorong, and the need for education on clean water and sanitation in underserved areas.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interview discusses the topic of increasing access to clean water and proper sanitation for underserved communities, specifically remote villages.
• 😀 The desalination process used by the company involves electric heaters to generate heat, which condenses salty water into freshwater.
• 😀 A key challenge in desalination is dealing with Total Suspended Solids (TSS), which interfere with the heating process and reduce the effectiveness of freshwater production.
• 😀 Water purity is monitored by measuring conductivity, and mineralization is applied to ensure the water meets the required quality standards.
• 😀 Desalination technology currently in use by the company involves thermal desalination, which has limitations when it comes to handling high levels of suspended solids.
• 😀 Faisal highlights the importance of protective equipment (PPE), such as chemical suits and gloves, when dealing with chemicals in the water treatment process.
• 😀 Wastewater treatment is crucial, and the company ensures that all wastewater meets environmental regulations before being discharged into the ocean.
• 😀 High levels of suspended solids in the raw water are a major challenge, as they clog the system and hinder the desalination process.
• 😀 Faisal believes that Sorong, where he lives, has sufficient access to clean water and sanitation, largely through ARP PDAM, which meets the required standards.
• 😀 In remote areas, water and sanitation remain major issues, and there is a need for community education on water treatment technologies to improve access to safe drinking water.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this interview?

The purpose of the interview is to gather information for a project proposal titled 'Improving Access to Clean Water and Sanitation for Rural Communities.' The project is part of the interviewer's academic coursework.

Who is the interviewee, and what is his role?

The interviewee is Faisal, who resides in Sorong City and works for a company involved in water treatment, specifically using desalination technology to process brackish water into clean water.

How is clean water processed in the company’s water treatment system?

The water is processed using an electric heater to generate heat, which causes condensation from saline water, transforming it into freshwater through a condensation process.

What are the common methods used in desalination?

Desalination methods commonly used include thermal desalination (such as distillation) and reverse osmosis, though the script focuses on thermal methods.

What challenges does the company face in the desalination process?

The main challenge is the high level of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the saline water. This increases difficulty in the heating process, which then hampers the condensation process and reduces water output.

What parameters are used to determine if water is clean?

Water cleanliness is monitored using conductivity measurements. Additionally, for daily use, remineralization is employed to add essential minerals to the water.

What is the biggest challenge in desalinating saline water?

The biggest challenge is the high TSS in the water, which obstructs the heating system, thereby reducing the efficiency of the condensation process and making the water treatment less effective.

How does the company handle wastewater or brine from the desalination process?

The company treats wastewater using chemicals and ensures that the effluent meets environmental standards by collaborating with laboratory teams to monitor the quality before discharging it into the ocean.

How does the company ensure worker safety in the water treatment process?

Worker safety is ensured through the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including chemical suits, gloves, and goggles, to protect workers from exposure to chemicals used in the desalination process.

What is the latest technological development in desalination at the company?

The company is using logic control systems to better regulate the temperature and monitor the amount of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the water, optimizing the desalination process.

Is clean water and sanitation sufficient in the interviewee's hometown of Sorong?

In Sorong, the availability of clean water and sanitation is adequate, as most residents use the PDAM water supply, which meets established water quality standards.

What can be done to improve awareness of the importance of clean water and sanitation in rural communities?

Awareness can be improved by educating local communities, especially in areas with poor access to clean water, about the importance of clean water and how to create and maintain accessible and safe water systems.