Families save 3.4M gallons of water
sharjah — A total of 3.4million gallons of water was saved in 30 houses in one year, as part of the Pioneers of Clean Energy initiative organised by the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa), in cooperation with the Sharjah Women’s Union Association (SWUA).
Dr Rashid Al Leem, chairman of Sewa, told a Press Conference that the initiative was aimed at rationalising the consumption of electricity in 30 houses in the emirate and transforming them into ideal models for rationalisation.
These homes were provided with water rationalisation devices, which contributed to saving 3.4 million gallons of water, equivalent to Dh51,300, and power consumption decreased by an average of 33 per cent.
“The launch of this initiative aims to encourage families to rationalise consumption and reduce the value of bills, especially before the arrival of the summer,” he added.
Dr Alleem pointed out that an intensive training programme has been implemented for a number of members of the SWUA to equip them to raise awareness among homemakers and families with the principles of rationalisation and optimal use of energy and water.
Sewa is seeking to reduce water and power consumption by 33 per cent in 2020 and already achieved its goal of reducing the water consumption in mosques by installing rationalisation devices.
Ghada Jumaa Salem, director of rationalisation department at Sewa, said that the meter readings of the selected 30 homes have been followed up with consumption of 28,399 gallons per day before dropping to 192,900 gallons per day.
Sheikha Aisha bint Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, chairperson of the SWUA, stressed that the association has taken a number of measures to raise awareness of society in ways and means of rationalisation.
The initiative has been implemented in several phases where three stages were implemented. The first and second phase of the project included the rehabilitation of 15 members of the association to be pioneers of clean energy by providing them with a series of lectures, workshops, and visits.
They already educated the housewives with the principles of rationalisation and consumption and methods of optimal use of electricity and water and the method of calculating monthly consumption and reading the monthly bill and the use of the model tools provided in water and electricity.
The family champions also visited the number power production and distribution plants and water desalination plants in order to know the reality of the efforts made by the Sewa.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com