Jakarta, INTI - Six students from SMA Negeri 3 Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan have developed an innovative peat water filtration system called PURE-PEAT FILTER. Initial testing showed that the device could raise water pH from 4.0 to 6.5 and improve clarity by up to 60 percent.
The innovation has received recognition from Agustin Teras Narang, a member of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) representing Central Kalimantan. He considers the technology promising for addressing water treatment challenges in peatland regions.
The recognition followed a visit by the six students to Teras Narang at his office at the DPD RI in Jakarta, where they presented their research findings in person.
Teras Narang also announced that the project would participate in the 2026 National Young Researchers Competition at the University of Indonesia.
“The research and innovation will also be entered in the 2026 national-level Young Researchers Competition at the University of Indonesia,” Teras said in a statement from Palangka Raya on Monday.
PURE-PEAT FILTER Uses Five Locally Available Materials from Central Kalimantan
PURE-PEAT FILTER was designed to clarify peat water while reducing its acidity. The research addresses the distinctive characteristics of peat water, which typically has higher acidity than many conventional clean water sources.
To develop the filtration device, the students incorporated five primary materials available in Central Kalimantan.
The first is purun, a plant commonly found in wetlands and peatland areas. The team also used charcoal made from wood waste as a filtration component.
The other materials include Tangkiling sand from Central Kalimantan, sand sourced from the Kahayan River, and gravel.
These five materials—purun, wood-waste charcoal, Tangkiling sand, Kahayan River sand, and gravel—are combined in a single peat water treatment system.
Using locally available resources is one of the project's main advantages, as these materials may be relatively accessible to communities across Central Kalimantan. It also creates opportunities to develop water treatment technologies adapted to the environmental conditions of peatland areas.
Laboratory Tests Show Higher pH and Up to 60 Percent Improvement in Water Clarity
According to the research team's findings, laboratory testing indicates that PURE-PEAT FILTER can improve several aspects of peat water quality.
Before filtration, the tested peat water sample had a pH of 4.0. After passing through the device, its pH increased to 6.5, representing a 2.5-unit rise and a reduction in acidity.
The filtration system was also reported to improve water clarity by up to 60 percent. These initial results suggest that locally sourced materials could help improve the physical quality of peat water.
However, improvements in pH and clarity alone do not establish that the filtered water is safe for direct consumption. Further testing is necessary to assess the device's performance under different peat water conditions and verify the safety and quality of the treated water.
The preliminary findings provide a foundation for further evaluation and refinement of the technology.
Six Students Prepare for the 2026 National Young Researchers Competition
The PURE-PEAT FILTER development team consists of six students from SMA Negeri 3 Palangka Raya who collaborated on the peat water treatment research.
Geovan Marvellino leads the research team. The other members are Chintya Putri Jasmine, Gladys Nathazia Ananda Debint, Katherine Allusia Handra, Marsel U, and Raelynn Telabang Narang.
The students met with Teras Narang to explain the concept behind their innovation, the materials used, and the results of their initial testing. They were accompanied by their supervising teacher, Robintang Sitorus, who supported the research process.
The team is scheduled to enter the 2026 National Young Researchers Competition at the University of Indonesia. Participation will provide an opportunity to present the project to a wider scientific audience and gain further experience in research and technological innovation.
Teras Narang Praises Student Innovation to Address Peat Water Challenges
Teras Narang said the PURE-PEAT FILTER research is particularly relevant to Central Kalimantan, which has extensive peatland areas. In such regions, access to and treatment of clean water remain important community needs.
He praised the students for using locally available materials to develop a filtration technology aimed at addressing a real environmental challenge.
As a visiting lecturer at a private university in Jakarta, Teras Narang also highlighted the importance of connecting student research with practical community needs.
The project demonstrates how local resources can be combined with scientific methods to develop potential water treatment solutions. Research activities at the secondary school level can also help young people strengthen their scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
Further testing and development will be essential to establish the system's effectiveness and ensure the safety of the treated water.
With preliminary results showing a pH increase from 4.0 to 6.5 and an improvement in water clarity of up to 60 percent, PURE-PEAT FILTER represents a promising initiative that could be developed further as an alternative for peat water treatment.
The team's participation in the 2026 National Young Researchers Competition at the University of Indonesia will also provide a platform to introduce this locally driven innovation from Central Kalimantan to a broader audience.
Conclusion
Six students from SMA Negeri 3 Palangka Raya developed PURE-PEAT FILTER, an innovative water filtration system using local materials that raised peat water pH from 4.0 to 6.5 and improved clarity by up to 60 percent in initial tests. The innovation highlights the potential of locally sourced solutions to address water treatment challenges in peatland regions, with further testing needed to verify water safety.
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