On the 7th of February, 2025, Water Watch Penang conducted an online training session with AIESEC Tayor’s University students. The online session was conducted by WWP’s executive manager, Dr Hong, who gave an informative presentation on understanding Malaysia’s water consumption and water scarcity issues, which are relevant today. A week after the online training, WWP had conducted a physical training of identifying and understanding water pollutants. This training was conducted at Bukit Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur on 15th February, 2025.
The aim of this was to educate and train university students to become leaders and facilitators who can educate the public on the importance of river quality and health. A total of 9 students participated in the programme.
The programme began with an introduction by Ms Rebecca Anne Chin, WWP’s Assistant Manager and students were then divided into two groups, each guided by a trained WWP facilitator: Ms Fatin, Ms Atiqah, and Mr Yee Jean Chai
The hands-on segment of the programme was led by Ms. Nur Atiqah (Education Officer), where the students were guided through the river monitoring activities which are:
- Physical Assessment:
In the physical assessment, the students examined the surrounding land uses and identified the presence of pipes, drains and vegetation types, and any signs of pollution along the riverbanks. The students then measured the river’s surface velocity and calculated its discharge. Additionally, observations included noting down any unusual odours, and the river’s colour, clarity, and turbidity.
- Chemical Assessment
The chemical assessment section was a combination of theoretical learning and practical application. Students measured various water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH level, and concentrations of phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, and nitrates. These tests were conducted to evaluate the water’s quality and to detect any potential pollutants.
- Biological Assessment
During the biological monitoring session, WWP conducted a catch-and-release activity to identify macroinvertebrates that could be found in the river. Some species that were found during the session included freshwater prawns, stoneflies, and water striders. This activity allowed students to assess the ecological health of rivers.
In conclusion, this training has accomplished the objectives and successfully trained 9 university students to become future generations of leaders who can guide the current generation on the identification and understanding of water pollutants in the environment and the importance of water conservation. As WWP continues to foster stronger connections with educational institutions, we expect that the students from AIESEC Taylor’s will become stewards of water and river conservation and education, providing sufficient knowledge to the coming generations.
