Thousands pledge change in habits to save water

This year's World Water Day campaign puts focus on usage at home, ropes in more students
Gracia Lee Straits Times 4 Mar 18;

More than 4,000 people from 30 organisations and educational institutions yesterday pledged to do their part at home to save water and fight climate change. In particular, they promised to adopt five household habits - take shorter showers, half-flush toilets when possible, wash vegetables and dishes in a container, use a mug when brushing their teeth and only wash full loads of clothes.

They were at the Marina Barrage to celebrate Singapore World Water Day (SWWD), which was yesterday, although events related to it will carry on for a month.

The event is organised every year by national water agency PUB.

President Halimah Yacob launched the event.

Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli were also present.

According to PUB's household water consumption study, which involved 400 households from 2016 to 2017, showering, flushing toilets, using the kitchen and doing the laundry accounted for about three-quarters of an average household's total water use.

Showering alone takes up 27 per cent of a household's monthly water consumption, using an average of 9 litres of water per minute.

EVERY BIT COUNTS

Many may not be aware, but taking small steps to minimise water usage for these activities can make a significant contribution in our overall conservation efforts.

PRESIDENT HALIMAH YACOB

Speaking at the event, Madam Halimah said: "Many may not be aware, but taking small steps to minimise water usage for these activities can make a significant contribution in our overall conservation efforts."

She added that the event carries a greater significance this year since Singapore has designated 2018 to be the Year of Climate Action, a national initiative aimed at raising awareness of climate change.

This year's SWWD campaign will also see 95 schools, including 61 pre-schools, taking part in a water-rationing exercise which aims to help students better understand the value of water. This is more than twice the 45 schools that participated last year.

On World Water Day on March 22, Singapore's landmarks, like the Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Resorts World Sentosa, will be lit in blue light from 7pm in support of the sustainability cause.