21 May 2023 – Water Watch Penang (WWP) and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) successfully organised the annual World Water Day celebration at Air Itam Dam on 21st May 2023.
World Water Day aims to encourage the responsible consumption of water resources and ensure universal access to safe drinking water. The event also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of sustainable management, conservation, and protection of freshwater. Besides, the event focuses on addressing water-related issues and promoting sustainable water management practices to the public.
The theme for Penang’s World Water Day 2023 celebration, ‘Save Water for Our Future’, emphasises the need for Penangites to save water to ensure a sustainable future as citizens have been wasting a large amount of water. Penang, a water-poor state, faces a huge risk of water shortages due to the highest domestic water consumption per capita per day. Based on PBAPP’s data for 2022, Penangites used 307 litres/capita/day (LCD) in 2022, as compared to the national average of 244 LCD in 2020. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each person only needs to use between 50 and 100 litres of water per day to ensure that most basic needs are met, and few health concerns arise.
WWP Chairman, Prof Dr Chan presented a welcoming speech in which he thanked the Penang Chief Minister’s support towards the World Water Day celebration. He also talked about the water issues in Penang and gave some water-saving tips. Ir Pathmanathan’s spoke on the theme of this year’s World Water Day and how it suits our country’s situation. Meanwhile, YAB Chow encouraged the public to join in reducing the domestic water consumption by 20% every day throughout the state.
After the speeches, YAB Chow visited the 18 exhibition booths while being accompanied by some other VIPs. Furthermore, the event also included a colouring and drawing competition and a water guessing game. A total of 95 children aged 5 to 19 years old from various schools in Penang registered for the colouring and drawing competition.
The event ended with the prize-giving ceremony where Prof Dr Chan, Ir Pathmanathan, National Water Service Commission (SPAN) Northern Region Deputy Director Mr Khitob Ahmad, and Water Regulatory Division Secretary at Penang State Secretariat Office Najwa Juaini Azmi presented the prizes to the winners of the colouring and drawing competition and water guessing game.
Colouring and drawing competition winners. Congratulations to these young talents!
CATEGORY A: 5 to 6 YEARS OLD
1st: Loh Chia Ching (D’monte Lip Sin)
2nd: Teoh Khai Qi (Union Kindergarten)
3rd: Chong Zi Shen (Dkingdom Kindergarten Farlim)
CATEGORY B: 7 to 9 YEARS OLD
1st: Siah Pei Xuen (SJKC Chong Cheng)
2nd: Chong Qiao Yu (SJKC Sin Kang)
3rd: Alyssa Ang Wei San (SJKC Li Hwa Prai)
CATEGORY C: 10 to 12 YEARS OLD
1st: Mak Chu Yuan (SJKC Sin Ya)
2nd: Siah Pei Zhen (SJKC Chong Cheng)
3rd: Loh Chia Chen (SJKC Shih Chung Cawangan Sg Nibong)
CATEGORY D: 13 to 15 YEARS OLD
1st:: Siah Pei Shan (SMK Bukit Jambul)
2nd: Chew Yu Qi (SMJK Jit Sin)
3rd: Mak Kah Ka (SMJK Jit Sin)
CATEGORY E: 16 to 19 YEARS OLD
1st: Gracelyn Loh Yee Ting (SMJK Perempuan China)
2nd: Eleni Loh Yee Chern (SMJK Perempuan China)
3rd: Tan Chao Foong (SMJK Perempuan China)
Water Guessing Game Winner
1. Chew Wan Yi
Water Watch Penang would like to express our deepest gratitude to our partners for being part of this event together.
American Chemical Society USM Student Chapter
GREW
Jabatan Alam Sekitar
Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang – MBPP
Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai
PBAPP Penang
Penang Green Council
Penang Green Council
Salcon Berhad
WWF-Malaysia
Xylem SEA
For more information, please get in touch with WWP Executive Manager, Dr Hong Chern Wern, at hong.wwp@gmail.com or contact WWP at +60 19-575 1253.
