Makassar, Indonesia, 01 Januray 2026 / TRG / Domestic wastewater is one of the most urgent environmental problems in small island communities. In many islands, wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, and household activities is released directly into drains, soil, or coastal waters because centralized treatment systems are limited. This situation can increase pollution, damage coastal ecosystems, and create public health risks for communities that depend closely on their surrounding environment.
A published study in Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology tested whether local bacteria from Barrang Lompo Island could help treat domestic wastewater. Instead of using expensive chemical or mechanical treatment, the researchers explored bioremediation, a process that uses living microorganisms to break down pollutants naturally.
The study used an indigenous bacterial consortium, meaning a group of local bacteria that already live in the island environment. The consortium consisted of six bacterial strains: Aeromonas veronii, Enterobacter sichuanensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus albus, Escherichia fergusonii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria were tested in laboratory batch experiments using inoculum concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, with incubation periods of 2, 4, 6, and 8 days.
The researchers measured five important wastewater indicators: total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, and oil-grease. In simple terms, these indicators show how dirty the wastewater is, how much organic material it contains, how much oxygen is needed to break it down, and whether it contains nitrogen or oily substances that can harm the environment.
The best performance was found at 15% bacterial inoculum after 8 days of incubation. Under this condition, the bacterial consortium removed 68.75% of total suspended solids, 52.01% of biochemical oxygen demand, 42.94% of chemical oxygen demand, 80.70% of ammonia, and 98.75% of oil-grease. Statistical analysis showed that both bacterial concentration and incubation time significantly affected pollutant removal, although bacterial concentration had the stronger influence across most parameters.
This issue is directly related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, because better wastewater treatment can reduce environmental exposure to disease-related pollution. It supports SDG 1: No Poverty, since low-cost biological treatment may reduce sanitation burdens in vulnerable island communities. SDG 4: Quality Education is reflected in the need to improve public knowledge about household wastewater and sanitation behavior. SDG 14: Life Below Water is strongly connected because untreated wastewater can damage marine ecosystems. SDG 15: Life on Land is relevant because wastewater also affects soil, drainage, and groundwater quality. Finally, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals is essential because universities, local governments, communities, and environmental agencies must work together to develop practical sanitation solutions. The study shows that local bacteria may become part of the solution for local wastewater problems. However, laboratory success still needs further testing in real island conditions, especially through pilot-scale and continuous-flow systems. With proper monitoring and safety control, indigenous bacterial consortia could support affordable and sustainable wastewater treatment for small islands.
Reference
DOI:
10.12912/27197050/218179
Contact:
Dr.Agus Bintara Birawida
+62 85241800050
agusbirawida@unhas.ac.id
