{"id":8495,"date":"2025-12-26T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/?p=8495"},"modified":"2026-11-04T15:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T08:36:09","slug":"unnes-empowers-batik-artisans-through-wastewater-treatment-innovation-to-support-aquatic-ecosystem-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/unnes-empowers-batik-artisans-through-wastewater-treatment-innovation-to-support-aquatic-ecosystem-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"UNNES Empowers Batik Artisans through Wastewater Treatment Innovation to Support Aquatic Ecosystem Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), as a Conservation University, supports environmental sustainability through research-based community service and the application of appropriate technology. In 2025, a UNNES community service team introduced a household-scale electrolysis device for treating batik wastewater to a local artisan in Kampung Batik, Semarang. The initiative combined technical demonstration, practical training, and knowledge transfer to strengthen the artisan\u2019s capacity to manage production wastewater more responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program provides a documented example of how university expertise can support small-scale businesses in addressing wastewater management challenges. It is relevant to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, Life Below Water, because responsible wastewater management can help reduce pollution risks to aquatic environments. However, the environmental impact of the intervention must be assessed separately from the training outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Community Assistance and Wastewater Treatment Technology<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

On 7 July 2025, a UNNES community service team conducted a wastewater treatment technology demonstration at the residence of Eko Haryanto, a batik artisan in Kampung Batik, Semarang. The activity was part of a lecturer-led community service program funded by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) UNNES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative is documented in the official UNNES report, Presenting Impactful Innovation, UNNES Promotes Environmentally Friendly Batik MSME<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source: Presenting Impactful Innovation, UNNES Promotes Environmentally Friendly Batik MSMEs<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The team was led by Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus, M.T., IPM., and included Dr. Harianingsih, S.T., M.T., from Chemical Engineering; Drs. Bambang Sugiyarto, M.T., from Civil Engineering; and Virgiawan Adi Kristianto, S.Pd., M.Ed., from Building Engineering Education. Three Chemical Engineering students also participated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team introduced a compact, household-scale electrolysis device designed to treat batik wastewater using electric current and electrodes. During the demonstration, the team showed how the prototype processed wastewater, with the treated water appearing clearer than the initial dark, tea-colored sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The device had a capacity of approximately one gallon. Its compact design and relatively simple operation were presented as potential advantages for small-scale batik producers who may need accessible wastewater treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The documented assistance therefore included the introduction of a treatment prototype, a practical demonstration of its operation, and direct engagement with a local artisan. The available report does not establish that the device was subsequently installed as a permanent treatment system or routinely used in the artisan\u2019s production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Training Outcomes and Knowledge Transfer<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The program evaluated the artisan\u2019s knowledge of wastewater treatment and practical ability to operate the device. According to the official UNNES report, the knowledge score increased from 60% to 80%, while the practical skills score increased from 50% to 75%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These results provide evidence of improvement in the participating artisan\u2019s knowledge and operational skills following the training. The practical demonstration also gave the artisan direct exposure to a potential wastewater treatment approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the evaluation involved one partner artisan. The results should therefore be interpreted as an individual training outcome rather than evidence of widespread adoption among batik businesses in Kampung Batik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demonstration also showed a visible change in wastewater appearance, but visual clarity alone does not establish that the treated water meets applicable discharge standards. Verification would require appropriate laboratory testing of parameters such as pH, color, suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and other relevant indicators, followed by comparison with the applicable regulatory limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project\u2019s documented contribution is therefore the provision of technical assistance and the improvement of the partner artisan\u2019s knowledge and practical skills. Claims about pollutant removal or regulatory compliance would require additional test results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Supporting More Responsible Batik Wastewater Management<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Batik production may generate wastewater containing dyes and other substances that can affect aquatic environments if improperly discharged. Providing small-scale producers with knowledge and practical treatment options can support pollution prevention, provided that the treatment process is appropriate for the wastewater and its performance is verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the 2025 initiative, UNNES introduced a possible treatment approach and demonstrated its operation directly to a local artisan. This creates an opportunity for the artisan to evaluate whether the technology can be incorporated into routine production and wastewater management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the available report does not quantify the volume of wastewater treated, the frequency of device use after the demonstration, the reduction of pollutants, or changes in the quality of nearby rivers. It also does not establish whether the device was adopted permanently or shared with other batik producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To demonstrate an actual reduction in pollution risks, follow-up documentation should establish whether the device continued to be used, how wastewater was handled before and after treatment, and whether the resulting effluent met the applicable standards. Until those data are available, the initiative should be described as a wastewater treatment technology demonstration and capacity-building program rather than a verified pollution-reduction outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Institutional Support and Potential for Continued Assistance<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The initiative was implemented through a lecturer-led community service program funded by LPPM UNNES. This funding arrangement provides documented evidence of institutional support for the community engagement activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the available report does not establish whether the artisan received a continuing financial incentive, equipment subsidy, maintenance support, or a commitment to receive further technical assistance. Nor does it confirm whether additional batik producers were enrolled in a follow-up program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future assistance could include periodic technical consultation, training for additional artisans, maintenance guidance, and access to appropriate wastewater testing. If implemented, these activities should be documented through follow-up reports, participant records, equipment-use logs, or other verifiable evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such support would help determine whether the initial demonstration develops into a sustained wastewater management practice rather than remaining a one-time training activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Contribution to SDG 14 and Future Development<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 UNNES community service initiative provides documented evidence of university support for a local batik artisan through wastewater treatment technology demonstration and practical training. The reported outcomes include the introduction of a household-scale electrolysis prototype, participation by an interdisciplinary university team, and improvements in the artisan\u2019s knowledge and practical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These outputs are relevant to SDG 14 because better wastewater management practices can contribute to reducing pollution risks to aquatic ecosystems. However, the initiative\u2019s actual environmental contribution remains unquantified in the available report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To strengthen future reporting, UNNES should document the continued use of the device, the volume of wastewater treated, relevant laboratory test results, compliance with applicable discharge standards, and any subsequent adoption by other small businesses. Evidence of continued technical assistance or additional institutional support should also be included if available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By connecting applied research, community training, and follow-up evaluation, UNNES can help local producers develop more responsible wastewater management practices. Reporting both verified training outcomes and measured environmental performance will provide a stronger basis for demonstrating the program\u2019s contribution to SDG 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), as a Conservation University, supports environmental sustainability through research-based community service and the application of appropriate technology. In 2025, a UNNES community service team introduced a household-scale electrolysis device for treating batik wastewater to a local artisan in Kampung Batik, Semarang. The initiative combined technical demonstration, practical training, and knowledge transfer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[153,88,60],"tags":[214],"class_list":["post-8495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-life-below-water","category-sdgs-goals","tag-unnessdgs14"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8495"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8498,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8495\/revisions\/8498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnes.ac.id\/sdgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}