Congratulations to Mr James Gonzales for the very apt comments that he made in today’s NST about water wastages taking place in the country; perhaps not in Seremban now as water is being rationed due to prolonged drought.
I like to add that there is a cost to bring clean water to our houses or our workplaces. This cost includes treatment and reticulation which are getting higher and higher.
Treating water from our rivers and other water sources which are getting to be more polluted these days is a costly business. Such costly investments either by the government or privatised water companies will eventually lead to higher tariffs.
So, it is absolutely vital to not waste our treated water as advised by James in his article. I do hope we will be more prudent in using treated water. I would suggest that we do look into harvesting rainwater whenever it is practical to do so and we can use the rainwater for washing cars, watering our gardens and other uses. In this manner, our water bills will definite come down instead of up.
So, do you agree & let me have your views?
Please click here to read his article. Highlight the value of water
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WECAM do agree to comments by James, in fact here is some pointers that consumers can have to reduce treated water consumption:
TOILET BOWL
1. Use a toilet bowl with smaller flushing capacity (For example 6 Liters or less per flush) or place a bottle of water in the tank to reduce water for each flush.
2. Don’t use toilet bowl as trash can to minimize the number of flushes made in a day.
3. Do regular check of leakages: Add food colour to the toilet tank and look out if the coloured water spills during or after flushing.
SHOWER
4. Take shorter shower or install a low flow showerhead.
5. Place a bucket near shower to collect access water during bathing and the water can be used to be added in the toilet bowl tank or to water plants.
6. Turn off the shower while lathering soap.
The sink
7. Do not let the water run down while shaving, brushing teeth or washing your face. The best practice is to use water in a glass or a pail and use it.
8. Repair dripping faucets, leakages may cause high bill at the end of the month.
GARDEN
9. Water lawn in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation from heat and wind.
10. Only install fountains, which recycle water.
11. Do not over water the lawn, avoid watering during rainy season.
12. Adjust sprinklers to avoid over watering or watering the pavement. In cases of small garden usage of watering can is more advisable.
13. Regularly check sprinkle setting and timer.
14. Avoid over fertilizing or use a slow release water-soluble form of fertiliser.
15. Choose a water efficient landscape or garden.
16. Keep your grass about 6 cm long because taller grass holds water better.
17. Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalk rather than flushing with water.
Swimming Pool
18. Use a water saving pool filter
19. Use a pool cover to keep the water clean and reduce evaporation. Recycle the water to be used in the lawn or garden.
Kitchen
20. Avoid running water to wash dishes or cloths, fill the sink and use the water.
21. Always turn off your pipe tightly so that it would not leak.
22. Pack cloths washers full each time need to wash cloths as each time the washing machine runs it uses the same average amount of water.
Garage
23. Use a bucket during washing the car rather than running water in the hose.
24. Prevent any type of oil from spilling as it takes a lot of water and soap to wash it off.
Other matters
25. Be well informed and heard about public meetings about water.
26. Report broken pipes and free flowing wells to authority.
27. Encourage that water conservation to be taught in school.
28. Support increased use of reclaimed water for irrigation.
29. Check all water related pipelines consistently to avoid interior leakages.
30. Use water harvested from rain in garage and garden and if possible even for toilet flushing.
TRToilet Bowl
1. Use a toilet bowl with smaller flushing capacity (For example 6 Liters or less per flush) or place a bottle of water in the tank to reduce water for each flush.
2. Don’t use toilet bowl as trash can to minimize the number of flushes made in a day.
3. Do regular check of leakages: Add food colour to the toilet tank and look out if the coloured water spills during or after flushing.
Shower
4. Take shorter shower or install a low flow showerhead.
5. Place a bucket near shower to collect access water during bathing and the water can be used to be added in the toilet bowl tank or to water plants.
6. Turn off the shower while lathering soap.
The sink
7. Do not let the water run down while shaving, brushing teeth or washing your face. The best practice is to use water in a glass or a pail and use it.
8. Repair dripping faucets, leakages may cause high bill at the end of the month.
Garden
9. Water lawn in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation from heat and wind.
10. Only install fountains, which recycle water.
11. Do not over water the lawn, avoid watering during rainy season.
12. Adjust sprinklers to avoid over watering or watering the pavement. In cases of small garden usage of watering can is more advisable.
13. Regularly check sprinkle setting and timer.
14. Avoid over fertilizing or use a slow release water-soluble form of fertiliser.
15. Choose a water efficient landscape or garden.
16. Keep your grass about 6 cm long because taller grass holds water better.
17. Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalk rather than flushing with water.
Swimming Pool
18. Use a water saving pool filter
19. Use a pool cover to keep the water clean and reduce evaporation. Recycle the water to be used in the lawn or garden.
Kitchen
20. Avoid running water to wash dishes or cloths, fill the sink and use the water.
21. Always turn off your pipe tightly so that it would not leak.
22. Pack cloths washers full each time need to wash cloths as each time the washing machine runs it uses the same average amount of water.
Garage
23. Use a bucket during washing the car rather than running water in the hose.
24. Prevent any type of oil from spilling as it takes a lot of water and soap to wash it off.
Other matters
25. Be well informed and heard about public meetings about water.
26. Report broken pipes and free flowing wells to authority.
27. Encourage that water conservation to be taught in school.
28. Support increased use of reclaimed water for irrigation.
29. Check all water related pipelines consistently to avoid interior leakages.
30. Use water harvested from rain in garage and garden and if possible even for toilet flushing.
This are some simple steps that we have summarised. From time to time, WECAM will publish reports related to water efficiency to public. We hope Malaysians can set the target of 165 liter per day per person as their immediate target for water usage. This is basic requirement set by World Health Organisation (WHO). If we use more than that, we deprive other of their right to water and over abstracting water is similar to polluting the environment. We exist because the environment still gives us water. Remember is us who borrow the environment from the future generation, we have no right to destroy it as it the property of the future generations.
Dear Piara,
I like what I read above. Thanks for working for the public interests.
Dear Peter
I am excited about the various initiatives under your leadership to manage this scarce resource in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
I have been working in the Singapore private sector in a leadership position for the past 20 years on all the water/used water/newater initiatives. They include the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), Changi water reclamation plant, Bedok/Kranji/Seletar/Changi Newater Factories and lately Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters which aims to transform Singapore into a city of Gardens and Waters.
Singapore has managed in just a dacade to turn what is a national weakness into a strength; making it a global hydrohub and exporting the technologies overseas. As a fellow Sarawakian (and SUPP member; albeit inactive for 10+ years), I am excited to see the efforts that is being put in place and would really hope to see Malaysia accomplish that one day. I would be most glad to serve you in whatever capacity you deem appropriate to accomplish that.
Regards.
Dear Ngo Kiaw,
Congratulations for doing so well in Singapore. It is good to know that there are many Sarawakians doing well and holding strong and influential positions in Singapore. We call this “brain drain” and I am glad you mentioned that you are willing to serve Malaysia as well. We should talk.
No worries, Peter. In my case, it is called “temporary overseas assignment”
. Currently talking to various parties on the Klang River cleanup. Met another fellow Sarawakian Minister Douglas last week too on the side of Asia Water 2010. Hope to catch up with you soon.