Socialization and Application of Simple Water Filtration Technology to Increase Students' Health Awareness at Rappojawa State Elementary School No. 71 Makassar

Makassar, 10 November 2025 – A team of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Public Health, Indonesian Muslim University (UMI), carried out Community Service (PKM) activities with the theme "Socialization and Application of Simple Water Filtration Technology to Increase Student Health Awareness" at SD Negeri Rappojawa No.71 Makassar.

This activity was attended by 31 5th grade elementary school students, accompanied by the homeroom teacher Mrs. Satriani, S.Pd., and warmly welcomed by the Principal Drs. Batoto. The main aim of this activity is to instill awareness of the importance of clean water from an early age and teach how to make a simple water filtration device using materials that are easily found around the home.

In the socialization activity, students were given a light and interactive explanation about the dangers of dirty water for health, as well as the importance of keeping water clean for everyday life. After the introductory session, students in groups were invited to practice making a simple water filtration device using materials such as used plastic bottles, Malang sand, gravel, activated charcoal, and filter cotton or foam.

Every student seemed enthusiastic about participating in this activity. They directly arranged the filter layers and observed the color changes of the water after going through the filtering process. This activity also teaches basic concepts of science and environmentally friendly technology in a way that is fun and easy for elementary school children to understand.

Class 5 homeroom teacher, Mrs. Satriani, S.Pd., expressed her appreciation for this educational activity.

"The children are very happy because they learn through hands-on practice. They know the importance of clean water and how to make simple tools that can be used at home," he said.

Meanwhile, the Principal Drs. Batoto also provides full support for this activity.

"We hope that activities like this can continue to be carried out so that students gain useful new knowledge, especially in maintaining a clean and healthy environment," he said in his speech.

The PKM implementation team explained that simple water filtration technology not only functions as a learning tool, but also as a means to increase health awareness and environmental responsibility from elementary school age. With an educational and hands-on approach, students can understand the relationship between clean water and body health.

Apart from that, this activity is in line with the UMI campus' efforts to implement the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, especially in the field of community service through the application of civil engineering and health sciences which are of direct benefit to society.

From the results of the activity, it was discovered that the students were able to understand how water filtration tools worksimple and realize the importance of using clean water in everyday life.Through this activity, it is hoped that students can become small agents of change at home andsurrounding environment in maintaining water cleanliness.