BRIN advances underground river research to boost water security

hartono · Aug 3, 2026

BRIN advances underground river research to boost water security

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria inspects an underground river research site at Goa Barat in Kebumen District, Central Java, on Aug. 2, 2026. (ANTARA/HO–BRIN/mrt)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening research on underground rivers in Kebumen, Central Java, to advance water security technologies following President Prabowo Subianto's focus on national water resilience.

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Arif Satria visited Goa Barat in Kebumen District on Sunday to assess its underground river system and identify research opportunities for improving long-term water security.

"This is one of the clean water sources for the local community. Our current research agenda is to trace the course of the underground river," Arif said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday.

He said BRIN is prioritizing research to better understand the characteristics of underground rivers as a foundation for developing technologies that support Indonesia's water security.

In addition to mapping underground waterways, the agency is developing technologies to improve water quality after identifying indications of high levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in underground river water.

"We must solve the water quality challenge because the underground river is believed to contain high levels of E. coli. We need to develop appropriate water treatment solutions so communities can safely use high-quality water," Arif said.

During the visit, Arif also toured the Karangsambung Science and Technology Area in Kebumen District, where he met with researchers to discuss future strategic research priorities.

The facility serves as BRIN's geology research center and includes a geology museum, rock collections, and laboratories supporting geological research.

Arif said the discussions would help shape BRIN's future research agenda, particularly in geology and water technology to strengthen Indonesia's long-term water security.

Earlier, BRIN presented 13 water security technologies to President Prabowo during a limited cabinet meeting on extreme weather and disaster mitigation at the State Palace on July 28, 2026.

According to the agency, the president expressed interest in BRIN's technologies as part of broader efforts to strengthen Indonesia's national water security.