Students monitor, evaluate water quality of rivers
STUDENTS from SMJK Yu Hua were given the opportunity to monitor and evaluate the water quality of Sungai Penchala at Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur via the Salcon Smart Water Programme (SSWP).
SSWP, spearheaded by Salcon Berhad in collaboration with Water Watch Penang, is an educational outreach programme aimed at raising awareness on water conservation through interactive and handson activities.
SSWP is carried out on a bi-monthly basis and was developed nine years ago in 2010. This regional award-winning programme reflects Salcon’s commitment to the future generation by taking proactive action to protect the environment.
The programme was also supported by Jabatan Lanskap Negara as the venue sponsor.
During the half-day programme, the students were given the opportunity to conduct water quality testing by using physical, biological
and chemical monitoring techniques.
Physical monitoring includes the observation of the Sg Penchala river appearance and to determine the water flow rate within a certain time frame. Chemical water monitoring involves testing various
parameters such as pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen.
While doing so, the students discovered the river’s ecology and learnt more about the processes involved in water treatment.
The highlight of the programme was when students were required to catch (and later release) as many aquatic organism samples as possible at the Sg Penchala site for observation, followed by a
group discussion on the aquatic macro-invertebrates that have been sampled by referring to the chart. With the compendium of monitoring results, students were then taught how to rate and evaluate the cleanliness of the river.
SMJK teacher Nor Aini Mohamad Ali said this is the first time the school has participated in the programme.
“It is indeed heartening to see a corporation such as Salcon willingly invest in such a programme for our students,” she said.
Salcon general manager-corporate Chern Meng Gaik said a collective effort is needed to bring about change and growth.
“We strongly believe that SSWP will serve as a continuing educational programme which will benefit our younger generations,” she said.
Salcon is organising the Second Salcon Smart Water Programme Inter-State Water Quiz Competition 2019 with the objective of promoting a healthy competition among participants based on their river general knowledge.
To date, the programme has benefitted more than 40 schools and 2,900 children.