Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is accelerating the deployment of research-driven water technologies in response to President Prabowo Subianto's directive to address the growing threat of water scarcity caused by climate change.
BRIN Chair Arif Satria introduced a portfolio of innovative technologies designed to secure water resources for communities, agriculture, industry, and disaster mitigation. The agency's integrated approach spans the entire hydrological cycle, covering the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems, coastal regions, and marine environments.
"Indonesia's future resilience depends on our ability to achieve water self-sufficiency," said Arif Satria. "BRIN combines scientific excellence with practical applications to maximize every potential water source, from clouds and underground rock formations to the ocean, for the benefit of society. This reflects our commitment to building a water-secure Indonesia on the path toward Golden Indonesia 2045."
Six Research-Based Water Technologies
The first innovation is Weather Modification Technology (WMT), which enhances rainfall by influencing cloud microphysics through cloud-seeding operations. The technology can be deployed using aircraft, drones, rockets, and Ground-Based Generators.
The second technology focuses on karst speleology and Offshore Fresh Groundwater (OFG) exploration. It enables the extraction of naturally filtered rainwater stored within karst formations, providing a stable and clean freshwater source.
The third innovation applies nuclear technology to analyze water isotopes and Earth's magnetic resonance. By utilizing naturally occurring isotopes such as oxygen-18 (^18O) and hydrogen-2 (^2H), researchers can identify information related to water origin, elevation, temperature, and rainfall history.
BRIN also employs Surface Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Surface NMR) technology to directly detect groundwater using the Earth's magnetic field. According to Arif Satria, the Rp15.8 billion system enables non-invasive groundwater exploration by measuring hydrogen signals beneath the surface.
Sustainable Solutions for Coastal Communities and Public Facilities
The fourth technology is a seawater desalination system developed for small islands and coastal areas. Available in both community-scale and industrial-scale configurations, the system can produce between approximately 5,000 and more than 20,000 liters of freshwater per day.
The fifth innovation is Arsinum (Ready-to-Drink Water Technology), which treats marginal water sources, including peat water, turbid water, and groundwater containing high concentrations of iron, manganese, and hardness minerals, into safe drinking water.
The sixth solution integrates Rainwater Harvesting Systems with Ablution Water Treatment Facilities equipped with domestic wastewater treatment systems. The technology has been successfully piloted at the Grand Mosque of Wonosari in Gunung Kidul, producing a stable supply of recycled water while minimizing energy consumption and sludge generation.
BRIN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Indonesia's technological capabilities in water management, ensuring long-term resilience against the increasing risks of water scarcity and climate change through science-based innovation.
Conclusion
By accelerating the development of research-based water technologies, BRIN is reinforcing Indonesia's long-term strategy to address water security challenges driven by climate change. Through innovations ranging from weather modification and groundwater exploration to desalination, nuclear-based water analysis, drinking water treatment, and rainwater harvesting, the agency aims to ensure sustainable water availability for communities, agriculture, industry, and public infrastructure. These initiatives demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to leveraging science and innovation to build climate resilience and support the nation's vision of achieving Golden Indonesia 2045.
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