IPB University’s Master of PSL Program Invites Students to Field Study at Krakatau Tirta Industri Cilegon

Students of the Master's Program in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (PSL) of the Graduate School (SPs) of IPB University conducted a field visit to see firsthand the water treatment at PT Krakatau Tirta Industri (KTI) Cilegon. The activity was attended by 53 master program students, 6 teaching lecturers and 3 educational staff (Tendik).

The Chairperson of the SPs IPB University Master Program, Prof Hadi Susilo Arifin, said that the purpose of the field visit at PT KTI was to listen to the success story that had been achieved by PT KTI so that it could become a lesson learned. According to him, this is very useful for students, because so far they have only learned in class with theories.

"With this field visit at PT KTI, it is hoped that students can capture the experience and knowledge gained in the field, drawn and connected to theory, especially information about ecosystem services," he said.

Dr Eka Intan Kumala Putri, lecturer of Economics and Institutions in Natural Resources and Environmental Management of PSL IPB University explained the institutions and management of environmental services in Payment Environmental Services (PES) between various parties.

"PT KTI, farmer groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the community have their respective roles and functions. The role of the Cilegon Regional Government in the implementation of this PES mechanism is also not small," she said.

Meanwhile, Ade Budi Darma as Head of the Krenceng Water Treatment Office revealed that PT KTI has two laboratories, namely the Krenceng water treatment laboratory and water treatment from Cidanau. The raw water used by the city comes from the lake swamp or Cidanau river flow, from the Cipasauran water that is dammed and from the raw water reserves in the Krenceng reservoir.

"This raw water is about 27 km away and some of it we process in the Krenceng laboratory and some of it we fill in the reservoir as an anticipatory reservoir during the dry season," he explained.

He added that the development of PT KTI is currently relatively very rapid and has a subsidiary in Gresik, East Java related to water treatment. "The average customer is from the industry in Cilegon and is very vital. If our water supply is a little late, the effect is very extraordinary," he concluded. (HBL/Rz) (IAAS/NVA)