Personal Assignment 1 Character Building: Kewarganegaraan

Summary

In this insightful interview, Dian speaks with her colleague, Mimi, about the importance of clean water and sanitation in rural communities. Mimi, who works in wastewater treatment, explains the detailed processes involved in purifying water and managing human waste, ensuring it meets environmental standards before being safely discarded. They discuss the challenges faced in rural areas, where access to clean water and proper sanitation is limited, and the need for community awareness. Mimi also shares her approach to educating her village on these crucial issues, emphasizing the role of sanitation in environmental preservation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interview discusses the importance of clean water and proper sanitation in rural areas, focusing on the challenges faced by remote communities in accessing these essential services.
• 😀 Mimi works in the wastewater treatment department, where she is involved in processing both domestic and sanitary wastewater to ensure it meets environmental standards before being disposed of into the sea.
• 😀 The wastewater treatment process includes two main stages: chemical treatment, which uses chemicals to treat the wastewater, and biological treatment, where bacteria are used to remove impurities.
• 😀 Mimi highlights the importance of meeting environmental standards set by the Ministry of Environment before wastewater is released into the ocean. This includes ensuring the water's pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ammonia content are within safe limits.
• 😀 The process of treating sanitary wastewater, which includes human waste, is also similar to wastewater treatment, where solids are separated from water and treated using bacteria to ensure it is safe to release.
• 😀 In rural areas like Mimi's hometown, Weriagar, there is a general lack of awareness regarding the importance of clean water and sanitation, which affects the local community’s health and the environment.
• 😀 There is a tendency for some rural communities to use local water sources like rivers for both consumption and waste disposal, which poses a risk to the environment and public health.
• 😀 Mimi suggests that raising awareness in her village is critical to improving sanitation practices. She proposes collaborating with local leaders to educate the community about the importance of proper water and sanitation management.
• 😀 One of the challenges Mimi faces at work is managing wastewater treatment during rainy weather, as rainwater can increase the level of wastewater in tanks, potentially causing spills and environmental damage if not properly monitored.
• 😀 Mimi emphasizes the role of technology in ensuring that wastewater meets the required standards before being released, such as using monitoring equipment that tracks pH, COD, and ammonia levels in real-time.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the interview in the transcript?

The main purpose of the interview is to discuss the importance of clean water access and proper sanitation for communities, particularly in remote villages, and to understand the water treatment process in the context of environmental preservation.

Who is the primary speaker in the interview and what is her role?

The primary speaker in the interview is Bernadeta Braweri, also known as Mimi. She works in the utility department, specifically in wastewater treatment, where she is involved in processing wastewater before it is safely released into the environment.

Can you explain the wastewater treatment process described by Mimi?

Mimi explains that wastewater undergoes two main treatment processes: chemical treatment and biological treatment. In the chemical treatment stage, chemicals are used to treat the wastewater, while in the biological treatment stage, bacteria are employed to remove impurities, ensuring that the water meets environmental standards before being discharged into the sea.

What are the challenges that Mimi faces in her wastewater treatment role?

One of the biggest challenges Mimi faces is managing the effect of rain on the wastewater treatment process. When it rains, the level of water in the treatment tanks rises, which can lead to spills and environmental damage if not carefully monitored.

What types of impurities are typically found in domestic wastewater?

Mimi mentions that domestic wastewater can contain various impurities, including condensates like oil or other chemicals that need to be removed during the treatment process. Additionally, sanitary wastewater from human waste also requires careful processing.

How does Mimi suggest raising awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation in her hometown?

Mimi plans to visit her hometown, meet with the village head, and conduct community outreach. She aims to educate the local population about the importance of proper sanitation and the dangers of improper waste disposal, such as contaminating rivers and streams.

What are the environmental standards for wastewater that must be met before it is released into the sea?

The environmental standards include maintaining a neutral pH level (between 6 and 9), keeping the chemical oxygen demand (COD) under 100 parts per million (ppm), and ensuring ammonia levels do not exceed 5 ppm. These parameters are monitored using lab testing and real-time sensors to ensure compliance.

How does Mimi’s workplace monitor the quality of wastewater before discharging it?

Mimi’s workplace uses a laboratory to sample the wastewater and check it for compliance with the environmental standards. In addition, real-time monitoring systems are in place, including sensors that track pH, COD, and ammonia levels, with data being sent directly to the authorities in Jakarta for oversight.

What happens to the human waste in the sanitation wastewater treatment process?

In the sanitation wastewater treatment process, solid waste (such as human waste) is separated from the water. The solid waste is broken down by bacteria in a treatment tank, and the treated water, which has been purified, is then safely discharged into the sea.

How does Mimi ensure that her home’s sanitation and water quality meet standards?

Mimi states that her home has a proper septic tank system and clean water supply, which she ensures by using rainwater collection during the wet season. When there is no rain, she buys bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes, highlighting the scarcity of clean water in her area.