Balikpapan – A team of students from the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) carried out a community engagement program by installing an Internet of Things (IoT)-based Smart Water Treatment system at the KM 12 Educational Tourism Garden in Balikpapan. The initiative represents a tangible implementation of the Impactful Campus concept, where technological innovation developed by students is directly applied to address community needs for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable water resources.

The program was initiated following a site survey conducted by the student team. The assessment revealed that the borewell water used at the site had relatively high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels, indicating the need for improved water quality. In addition, water quality inspections were still carried out manually, making routine monitoring time-consuming and less efficient.

To address these challenges, the team designed a water treatment system integrated with IoT technology. Water passes through several filtration stages before use, while its quality is continuously monitored using TDS and flow meter sensors. The monitoring data are displayed in real time, allowing the management to track water quality quickly and accurately without the need for repeated manual measurements.

Beyond installing the system, the students also conducted training and outreach sessions for the management of the KM 12 Educational Tourism Garden. They explained the functions of each component, demonstrated how to operate the system, and provided guidance on routine maintenance to ensure long-term usability. The management team was also given hands-on experience operating the system, enabling them to manage it independently.

Following installation and testing, the treated water showed a significant improvement in quality. The TDS level decreased, making the water more suitable for use. Furthermore, the IoT-based monitoring system simplified the monitoring process by providing instant access to water quality data without requiring repeated manual testing.

Through this initiative, ITK students demonstrated that technological innovation can provide practical solutions to real-world challenges faced by local communities. The program reflects ITK's commitment to creating meaningful impact by transforming academic knowledge into applicable technology that improves community welfare, promotes sustainable water resource management, and strengthens collaboration between higher education institutions and society in achieving sustainable development goals.