Testing river water quality
STUDENTS from SMK Kelana Jaya joined the Earth Echo Water Challenge (formerly known as
World Water Monitoring Challenge) to monitor Sungai Penchala at Lembah Kiara TTDI via the Salcon Smart Water Programme( SS WP ).
SSW P is an educational programme to create awareness among primary and secondary school students on the importance of water resources.
During the half-day programme, students monitored Sg Penchala for its temperature, pH level, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, water flow rate, clarity, colour, smell and micro-invertebrates.
They carried out the activity with Sal con Ber had in collaboration with Water Watch Penang
(WWP), in celebration of World Water Monitoring Day.
Student Khairul Akmal Khairulanwar from SMK Kelana Jaya, said it was an interesting programme as the students could do the testing themselves.
“I have gained more knowledge about the importance of rivers and water,” he said.
Salcon Berhad General Manager – Corporate Chern Meng Gaik said the company has been monitoring the river water quality at Sungai Penchala since 2012.
“W e are glad to be able to contribute our efforts to this global initiative via the Earth Echo W ater Challenge.
“W e are proud that apart from educating the children, we also play a role in monitoring and assessing the health of the river,” she added.
To date, the programme has benefitted more than 40 schools and 1,800 children since its inception in 2010.
Under the guidance of facilitators, students mastered the skills and technique of conducting river and water testing.
Salcon measures the effectiveness of the programme through a pre- and post-water knowledge evaluation.
Their understanding on water knowledge increased significantly after the activities were conducted.