Politeknik Kota Bharu creates mudballs to clean contaminated water

PKB Commerce Department lecturer, Madihah Hasbullah said it was a joint effort between the lecturers and students in her department to create the mudball, Greenyxia, made of clay compound mixed with several other organic materials such as phototrophic acid bacteria, yeast and antinomyteses that could solve the problem of water pollution.

"It is our aim now to give exposure to the public on the use of Greenyxia mudballs, which are effective in improving water quality without using chemicals," said Madihah, who is also the Environmental Sustainability with Community programme director.

She was speaking to reporters after the programme launch by Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, here, yesterday.

Also present were Kuala Besut assemblyman, Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Rahman and PKB director, Azahan Othman.

Madihah said earlier generations were using alum to clean water, which have high chemical components.

"However, Greenyxia mudballs are a safer alternative as these are produced using organic substances, and are not only able to clean polluted water, the farmers can also use water that has been treated using the mudballs as it will nourish their crops without further use of chemicals, and this is that we want people to know.

"By placing the mudballs into the contaminated water, the reaction is very quick in cleaning stagnant water and the cleanliness can last a month," she said.

Meanwhile, Idris hoped that the people around Besut could start using the mudballs as these had been proven to help reduce environmental pollution, especially in treating contaminated water in the vicinity of their housing areas.