“The critical limits of water management that we recognize are challenges for cross-scale system interactions, multidisciplinary in nature, from technical and non-technical dimensions. It is difficult to define clear boundaries for governance and collective action, when watersheds (DAS) are interconnected with interrelated surface, seawater and groundwater flows. Moreover, urban and rural water needs are strongly influenced by the scale of local and regional management,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Setyo Sarwanto Mursidik, D.E.A. when delivering his professorship inauguration speech, on Saturday (13/11).
He delivered a speech entitled “Crossing Water Science and Technological Innovation Challenges” at the Open Session of his inauguration as a Permanent Professor of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia (FTUI). Prof. Setyo explained other challenges faced regarding water problems, including rainwater management and adaptation to climate change, increasing the use of New
Renewable Energy (EBT) and encouraging more efficient use of energy, and attention to emerging contaminants.
Not only that, compliance with the law is important from the human aspect which leads to water management, as well as the financing of the infrastructure provided. From the challenges faced, Prof. Setyo tried to describe seven solutions, including emerging processing technology used; pollution source control and behavior change; urban greening and catchment-based solutions which are natural principles that are applied through Green Open Space (RTH) and the bioswole concept; concentrated sewage treatment and more energy efficient installations.
The fifth solution is an innovative approach to providing rural wastewater treatment through natural technology approaches such as wetlands; Sixth, sustainable financing includes infrastructure investment; and lastly, activating a circular economy in every use of generation that has added economic value.
There are several innovations to answer water problems that he developed, based on his thesis research and dissertation under his guidance. First is smart home & IoT which can prevent water-related disasters, monitor daily water usage, and use internet-based smart water leak detectors. Second, the Internet of Nature (IoN) is a component of urban ecosystems and the dynamics of their interrelationships are described and represented through technology and digital applications. The third is decentralized water recycling for small/limited scale applications, the fourth is the generation of atmospheric water (Atmospheric Water Generator). Then, collect and harvest rain, solar powered desalination, blue-green infrastructure, and water innovation based on mining activities.
At the end of his speech, Prof. Setyo said that an integrated water resources management is needed with a holistic multidisciplinary approach to water management through sustainable organization and governance. In addition, technical dimensions and innovations that are always updated are also needed which can be realized through research and development collaboration with related parties.
In his life history, Prof. Setyo has been a lecturer at FTUI since 1985 until now. He completed his Engineering Degree in Sanitary Engineering/Environmental Engineering at ITB Bandung (1983). Then in 1988, he continued his Diplome d’Études Approfondies, d’Hydrologie Science de l’Eau et Amenagement, at the Universite de Montpellier II France. In 1992, he received his Diplome Docteur d’Hydrologie from the Universite de Montpellier I France. There were 73 publications indexed by Scopus during 2017-2021 with the latest publication entitled “Comparative Phosphorus Removal Efficiency from Municipal Wastewater Using Acid Mine Drainage Sludge and Its H2O2 Activated form As Adsorbents”.
