A successful partnership between Salcon Engineering Berhad and Water Watch Penang resulted in the Salcon Smart Water Programme (SSWP), held on April 27, 2024, at Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara, KL. Participating the event were 40 students and 4 teachers from SMK Damansara Jaya, along with representatives from Salcon Berhad: Ms. Chern Meng Gaik, the Corporate General Manager, and Mr. Chin Yaw Ying, the Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Executive. This marks the second occurrence of the Salcon Smart Water Programme in 2024, which was initially established in 2009 and has been ongoing since then.
The river-related exercise aimed to educate students about rivers and water on various geographic scales, including local, regional, and global contexts, with a specific focus on Klang Valley. The programme was led by WWP’s Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern, with support from Mr. Hanson Yeoh, the Programme Officer, and other qualified facilitators and interns: Mr. Sharvind Sivan, Ms. Kimberly Wong Jin Li, Ms. Alicia Khor Hui Ying, Ms. Nur Atiqah Roslan, Ms. Nur Fatin Azahara Mohamad Zaidi, and Mr. Dane Lim Chiu Tong.
Dr. Hong commenced the session by addressing the country’s water challenges and stressing the significance of conservation. Subsequently, the students were divided into groups for practical exercises. Under the guidance of WWP facilitators, the groups began by physically evaluating the river’s parameters. They then conducted chemical analyses using test kits to assess various factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia levels, phosphate levels, nitrate levels, and nitrite levels to determine water quality.
Following a brief intermission, each group proceeded with a biological evaluation and successfully identified macroinvertebrates as indicators of river health. Employing a “catch and release” method, students counted various macroinvertebrates to determine the Biological Water Quality Index of the river water. They successfully captured and identified different macroinvertebrates, including dragonfly nymphs, freshwater shrimp, pagoda snails, and damselfly nymphs. Finally, students were introduced to river microbiology, using microscopes to observe microorganisms in the river.
Concluding the programme, Salcon presented certificates and souvenirs to both teachers and students of SMK Damansara Jaya. Water Watch Penang expressed gratitude for Salcon’s ongoing CSR partnership.
For further inquiries, please contact WWP Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern, at hong.wwp@gmail.com or reach out to WWP at +60 19-575 1253.