More individuals, firms doing their part to save water

May Wong, Channel NewsAsia 28 Aug 08;

SINGAPORE: More are coming forward to do their part to save water. The national water agency PUB saw a 140 per cent jump in its "Friends of Water" membership in the last one year - from 750 members to 1,800.

The "Friends of Water" programme recognises those who help raise awareness about water and what it takes to sustain Singapore's supply.

And to recognise those who have gone the extra mile in water conservation, they are given the Watermark Award. There are six award winners this year, one of them being Commonwealth Secondary School.

Here, used water from bathrooms is channelled to wash common areas and water the plants in the school. The school even converted its pond into a treatment wetland. This allows students to conduct experiments and research on water recycling and urban agriculture.

Students also learn more about chemistry and biology beyond the classrooms.

Annie Seng, a teacher from the school, said: "This has helped to make learning exciting for them... the school will (also) be able to save a considerable amount in its water and electricity bills, because what we're doing is recycling used water. On top of that, what we want to advocate is to have our students have this practice of water conservation."

Another Watermark Award winner is Senoko Power. It built its own desalination plant to use sea water instead of potable water for its operations.

Roy Adair, president and CEO of Senoko Power, said: "Climate change is an issue on every agenda, be it political or corporate. We therefore have an obligation as a good neighbour within the Singapore community to ensure that not only do we produce competitively-priced electricity, we do so in the most environmentally-friendly manner possible."

The award attracted over 40 nominations this year.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said:
"Ensuring Singapore's environmental and water sustainability is a national effort. This requires everyone to think and act - not just the government or public sector, but also the private sector, and most importantly, the people sector."

For the first time, the award ceremony was held at the Marina Barrage, as a recognition of Singapore's new icon that offers an additional source of water supply to the city-state.

With more people pledging to do their part in water conservation, it shows the growing commitment to build a more sustainable country for the future.

- CNA/ir