• Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)
  • umcares@um.edu.my
  • 03-79677357
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Sustainable Rural Water Purification Technology


SMART AQUAEZ Initiative

Lead: Dr. Mohd Usman Mohd Junaidi | Faculty of Engineering

Community Problem

Water Scarcity

Rural communities in Bachok, Kelantan face frequent clean water shortages and reliance on untreated sources.

Health Hazards

Contaminated water sources pose significant risks of water-borne diseases and poor overall public health outcomes.

Tech Gaps

Lack of affordable, low-maintenance purification systems suitable for remote rural environments without specialized operators.

Program Objectives

Water Access

Provide sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water for rural households in Kg Kuala Rekang.

Smart Technology

Deploy self-cleaning ultrafiltration and solar steam generation systems for efficient water purification.

Community Capacity

Empower local residents with the skills to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot innovative water systems.

RU2024-ES04A

Self-Cleaning Ultrafiltration

Deploying advanced membrane systems that automatically remove accumulated contaminants, ensuring high-quality water with minimal manual intervention.

PI: Dr. Mohamad Fairus Rabuni

Budget: RM 50,000
SDG 6: Clean Water SDG 9: Innovation
Ultrafiltration System
Solar Steam Generation
RU2024-ES04B

Solar Steam Generation

Innovative purification based on solar thermal technology to provide clean water using renewable energy, specifically designed for sustainable rural use.

PI: Dr. Mohd Usman Mohd Junaidi

Budget: RM 20,000
SDG 6: Clean Water SDG 7: Clean Energy

Project Impact


Impact AreaStrategic Outcome
Community ResilienceIncreased capacity to manage water quality and meet future needs through innovative technology.
Quality of LifeImproved health outcomes and water access through successful integration of products into daily life.
Self-SufficiencyEquipped residents with maintenance skills, fostering independence and community resilience.

Stakeholders & Partners

Berqat Mechanics Sdn. Bhd.
IOES Universiti Malaya
Bachok Community Leaders
UM Faculty of Engineering
Kg Kuala Rekang Residents
Kelantan State Agencies

Future Execution Plan

Long-Term Monitoring
  • Documentation of knowledge transfer processes.
  • Stability plans for sustainable product development.
  • Regular maintenance training workshops.
Scale and Expansion
  • Replication in other rural zones (Bahau, Ulu Tual, Gua Musang).
  • Integration with national water board standards.
  • Seeking collaborative industrial funding.
Tech Advancement
  • Optimization of solar thermal efficiency.
  • IoT integration for remote water quality monitoring.
  • Development of mobile purification units.

Last Update: 19/12/2025