TEMPO.CO, Bekasi - Research and Technology Minister, Gusti Muhammad Hatta, has inaugurated the mass production of the membrane-based water purifier at PT Yasunli Abadi Utama Plastik in Cikarang Barat, Bekasi, Thursday. The water purifier was invented by I Gede Wenten, a lecturer and researcher of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).
I Gede Wenten said his membrane-based water purifying technology is superior because it is integrated with five types of drinking water filtration process and purification technology. The water is filtered and purified through strainers, active carbons, nanoparticles, ultrafiltration (UF), and bioceramic. In short, he guaranteed that the water produced from the machine is safe to drink.
"The calcium, which is needed by the body, will not be lost," said Gede. "The size of the water purifier is also small, making it suitable for residential scale."
The device also works in a simple way. Users only need to fill up the device with tap water or ground water and this water will come out of the device in a ready-to-drink state.
"The filter needs to be changed every once in six months," Gede continued.
The integrated home-drinking water purifier will be on the market starting August. The price tag for the machine has yet to be revealed but Tanu Sutomo, the President Director of PT Ifaria Gemilang (IFA), said it will be sold at an affordable price. PT IFA has been working together with the Ministry to enable the mass production.
ADI WARSONO
