Water quality is one of the most critical factors determining the success of fish farming, particularly in terms of acidity (pH) and turbidity. Poor water quality can hinder fish growth, increase the risk of disease, and even lead to high mortality rates. This issue was identified by the Community Service Program (KKN) Team of the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) during their community engagement activities in Suko Mulyo Village, Sepaku District.

Based on field surveys and measurements using a digital pH meter, the community's primary water source was found to originate from a river with high turbidity and a pH value of 4.30. This indicates that the water is considerably acidic and does not meet the ideal conditions for Nile tilapia farming. Excessively acidic water can disrupt fish metabolism, weaken their immune systems, and ultimately reduce aquaculture productivity.

To address this challenge, the ITK KKN team developed HYDROVIVE 2026, an Appropriate Technology (TTG) innovation in the form of an integrated water filtration system designed to improve water quality before it enters fish farming ponds. The technology offers a simple, cost-effective, and practical solution to support sustainable aquaculture practices within the local community.

HYDROVIVE 2026 utilizes multiple filtration layers that work sequentially, including dacron to trap coarse particles, silica sand to reduce turbidity, activated carbon to absorb organic compounds and odors, zeolite to reduce ammonia levels while improving overall water quality, and ferolite as a supporting filtration medium. The combination of these filter materials was specifically designed to suit the characteristics of the local water source in Suko Mulyo Village.

One of HYDROVIVE's main advantages is its simple operation, making it easy for community members to use and maintain independently. The system features two operating modes: Fast Rinse, which cleans the filter media without dismantling the filter tank, making maintenance quicker and more practical, and Filtration Mode, which filters water before it flows into fish ponds. This design minimizes maintenance time while keeping operational costs low.

The development of HYDROVIVE began in January 2026 through several stages. The project started with field surveys to identify local aquaculture conditions and assess water quality. Based on these findings, the team developed a small-scale prototype to determine the most effective combination of filtration media. The next stages included material procurement, full-scale assembly, water quality testing after filtration, and community outreach activities to educate local residents on the operation and maintenance of the system, ensuring the technology can be sustainably adopted.

Throughout the project, the team encountered several technical and operational challenges. Difficult access to the project site slowed both team mobility and material transportation. In addition, laboratory water quality testing required considerable time due to limited facilities and administrative procedures. The team also conducted multiple trials to determine the most suitable filtration media combination for the unique characteristics of the local water source. Despite these challenges, each stage contributed to refining the technology into an effective solution tailored to community needs.

Through HYDROVIVE 2026, the ITK KKN team hopes to improve water quality for Nile tilapia farming, thereby increasing aquaculture productivity, reducing fish mortality, and strengthening the community's capacity to manage water resources using technology that is affordable, easy to operate, and simple to maintain.

This initiative represents a tangible contribution of ITK students in applying science and technology to solve real-world community problems through innovations based on local needs while supporting sustainable development around Indonesia's future capital region.

HYDROVIVE 2026 Development Team

Supervising Lecturers:

•  Alvianus Kristian Sumual, S.E., M.E. 
•  Eka Pratiwi Briant Pakiding, S.T., M.Sc. 
•  Martina Puspita Sari, S.T., M.T. 

Student Team Members:

•  Lendraning Ugroseno – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Rany Meyliany Martin – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Aliftyan Widyadana Sulistyo – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Erwin Dharmawan – Mechanical Engineering 
•  Valentino Bintang Pranata – Mechanical Engineering 
•  Muhammad Afrizha – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Anggun Nurqoirun Nisa – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Emmanuelle Judith Ginting – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Pandu Garda Pratama – Materials and Metallurgical Engineering 
•  Mariana Br. Sembiring – Industrial Engineering 

The collaboration between students from different disciplines demonstrates how interdisciplinary teamwork can produce practical innovations that deliver tangible benefits to society, particularly in supporting more productive and sustainable Nile tilapia farming.