Article: Pilot water-saving initiative

Saturday August 22, 2009

By WINNIE YEOH

A CONDOMINIUM in Batu Uban, Penang, has been picked as the first in the country to carry out a water-saving project which is aimed at reducing water usage by at least 10% a year.

The 'Nega-litres Campaign' which kicked off yesterday will see residents in 100 units at the N-Park Condominium taking part in the pilot project jointly implemented by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Water Watch Penang (WWP) and Penang Water Supply Corporation Bhd (PBA).

State DID director Hanapi Mohamad Noor said the relevant parties would carry out monthly water usage audit at participating units.

"They will work together to create awareness among residents on the need to conserve water and to increase water-use efficiency.

"A rainwater harvest system that can contain 10,000 litres of water will also be built on the roof of one of the blocks. The water will then be used for non-drinking purpose at the common area," he said during a press conference after the launching of the campaign at the condominium yesterday.

He said the RM250,000 system would be linked to PBA's water supply system and the treated water would only be used when the water in the tank ran low.

Hanapi said 30% of the water consumption in Penang was for domestic purposes and the rest for industrial and agriculture sectors.

"The state will face water crisis by 2010 as more water is being consumed while supply remains the same," he said, adding the campaign would be implemented nationwide if it was proven successful.

WWP president Prof Chan Ngai Weng said each Malaysian uses an average of 280 litres of water a day which is 50% more than the average usage of each Singaporean.

"Our country is fortunate as we have treated water running round the clock. Other than saving money, a more important aim of this campaign is to save water.

"We don't want to end up drinking recycled water like what's happening in Singapore," said Prof Chan, who is also the condominium's residents association chairman.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 22 August 2009