Water conservation efforts recognised on World Water Day

Loke Kok Fai Channel NewsAsia 17 Mar 15;

SINGAPORE: From self-maintaining rooftop gardens, to creative solutions to reduce water wastage, two organisations and an individual will be lauded for their innovative and sustainable use of water in this year's Watermark Awards.

The annual award recognises outstanding contributions and commitment to protecting and raising awareness of Singapore's water resources.

The winners - Siloso Beach Resort, Alexandra Health System, and Asia Square's Sustainability Manager Philip Chan - stood out from 30 other nominees for this year's award.

Of the three, Siloso Beach Resort earned itself a higher distinction - the Honourary Watermark Award, for its holistic approach to both water and environment sustainability. These include using rainwater and spring water to irrigate its rooftop gardens and landscaping, as well as conducting water-centric eco tours with the PUB to spread awareness of conservation practices amongst local and foreign visitors.

Also honoured for utilising innovative measures to reduce water usage is fellow award winner Alexandra Health System. The healthcare provider's Khoo Teck Puat Hospital incorporates measures such as using water from Yishun Pond for irrigation of vegetables, and fun activities for visitors that help raise awareness of how water recycling works.

Its commitment to water conservation at the staff level was also noted; new employees are briefed on environmental preservation, and staff are encouraged to participate in water conservation projects.

Asia Square's Sustainability Manager Philip Chan walked away with this year's sole individual award. He devised improvements to water tanks at Asia Square, due to be implemented between April and May 2015, that could potentially save 30,000 litres of water per minute each time the tank overflows.

This year's award ceremony will be held on World Water Day, Mar 22, at the Singapore SportsHub.

- CNA/av

Winning ways to save water
Carolyn Khew The Straits Times AsiaOne 19 Mar 15;

USING sensors to automatically stop plant-watering when it rains, educating visitors on environmental initiatives and cutting wastage from water overflow.
These were efforts that won two organisations and one individual the Watermark Award by national water agency PUB.

The annual award, first given out in 2007, recognises organisations and individuals for their contributions towards protecting and educating others about Singapore's water resources.

The winners this year are Alexandra Health System, which manages Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Siloso Beach Resort on Sentosa and Asia Square building's sustainability manager, Mr Philip Chan.

At the hospital, water from the nearby Yishun Pond is used to irrigate plants on its rooftop gardens via an underground piping system, thus reducing the use of potable water. The hospital uses drip irrigation, which helps cut wastage. Plant-watering stops when sensors detect rain, and some 12 per cent of rain water run-off is collected for reuse.

The hospital saved 8 per cent more water, or 620,000 litres, last year, compared with 2013. That is more than 12 times the average monthly water consumption for a bungalow.

Siloso Beach Resort runs eco tours on its environmental programmes for visitors. There are also tours for other hotel building managers.

Asia Square's Mr Chan, 51, improved a pivot valve at the building's water tanks. The device, which will be rolled out in two months, helps cut water wastage due to water overflow.

The winners will each receive a trophy from Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan at the Singapore Sports Hub on Sunday.