Makassar, Indonesia, 4 July 2025/ Coastal Domestic Water Research Group / Small islands are often described as beautiful and peaceful, but behind that beauty lies a serious environmental challenge: wastewater. In many island communities, household wastewater is discharged directly into the surrounding environment because centralized treatment systems are limited or unavailable. This can pollute coastal waters, increase disease risks, and disturb fragile marine ecosystems.
A published study in the Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management explored the diversity of indigenous bacteria in domestic wastewater from a small tropical island in Indonesia. The study is important because local bacteria can tell two stories at once. First, they can indicate contamination and potential public health risks. Second, some of them may become useful biological agents for low-cost wastewater treatment.
Researchers collected domestic wastewater samples from three household discharge points during the dry season. They isolated culturable bacteria using standard microbiological methods and identified them through morphological, biochemical, physiological, and molecular approaches using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The study identified six bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Vibrio alginolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis.
These findings are meaningful for public health. The presence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Vibrio alginolyticus shows that untreated wastewater may carry bacteria associated with disease transmission. In small islands, where people live close to the coast and water sources are limited, this risk becomes more serious. Wastewater pollution is not only about dirty water; it is about the possibility of infection, environmental degradation, and reduced quality of life.
At the same time, the study also found that these bacteria were able to tolerate environmental stress, including salinity of 5–10%, temperatures of 15–45°C, and pH levels from 6 to 9. This adaptability is important because small-island wastewater is often affected by seawater intrusion, changing tides, and fluctuating environmental conditions. Local bacteria that can survive under these conditions may be useful for future bioremediation systems, such as microbial consortia, biofilters, or constructed wetlands.
This issue is directly related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, because better wastewater control can reduce waterborne disease risks. It supports SDG 1: No Poverty, since affordable sanitation solutions can reduce health and economic burdens. SDG 4: Quality Education is reflected in the need for community awareness and science-based sanitation literacy. SDG 14: Life Below Water is central because untreated wastewater threatens coastal ecosystems. SDG 15: Life on Land is relevant because wastewater affects soil, groundwater, and settlements. Finally, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals is essential, as universities, communities, governments, and environmental institutions must work together to build safe island sanitation systems.
The key message is clear: small islands need wastewater solutions designed from their own realities. Local bacteria may help guide safer, cheaper, and more sustainable treatment strategies, but their use must be supported by biosafety assessment, monitoring, and responsible policy.
Reference
DOI:
10.22034/gjesm.2026.01.15
Contact:
Dr.Agus Bintara Birawida
+62 85241800050
agusbirawida@unhas.ac.id
