Caring for our rivers
IN conjunction with World Water Day which falls on March 22 each year, 40 students from SMK (P) Taman Petaling were invited to take part in the Salcon Smart Water Programme (SSWP) at Sg. Penchala in Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara last Saturday.
The theme for this year’s World Water Day is “Nature for Water” which explores how nature can be used to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century as damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption.
River and water awareness programmes such as the SSWP, an award-winning educational programme organised by Salcon Berhad and Water Water Penang (WWP) since 2010, are naturebased solutions which play an essential role in solving many of the water challenges currently faced.
SSWP caters for primary and secondary school students with the aim of instilling awareness among the younger generation on the importance of precious water resources.
The programme was also supported by the National Landscape Department by sponsoring the premises for conducting the programme for students.
“SSWP is an effective platform for youths who are taught naturebased solutions to the water challenges we face today through hand-ons physical, chemical and biological experiments in a fun, interesting and meaningful manner,” said Salcon Berhad general manager – corporate Chern Meng Gaik.
The programme got the students wading in water as they were taught how to conduct the tests on the river, including the smell, flow rate, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and catching living organisms in Sungai Penchala to identify the quality and health of the river using various water testing equipment.
“It is a very interesting programme as we get to conduct all the testing ourselves.
“I have gained more knowledge on the importance of our rivers and will share what I learnt today with my friends,” said SMK (P) Taman Petaling student Natasha Theresa James.
SMK (P) Taman Petaling teacher Mok Pui Kee said this is the first time the school has taken part in the programme.
Schools around the Klang Valley are invited to participate in the SSWP and to date, it has benefitted more than 40 schools and 2,300 children since its inception in 2010.