28 June 2022: Water Watch Penang has conducted a ‘River Ranger’ programme via Intel CSR Programme for INTEL employees at Quarry Park, Penang. This was the first face-to-face programme conducted after the 2-year pandemic in Malaysia.
The programme was attended by a total of 38 participants and the facilitator involved in giving a talk was Dr. Hong Chern Wern, from Water Watch Penang assisted by Mr. Linges and Comms Intern, Ms. Nursyazana.
The day’s events included sessions on global issues, water activities, and an introduction to Water Watch Penang. The program’s goal was to educate the participants about the value of wise water use before introducing them to water-related problems that exist globally, including in Malaysia. The programme also discussed water challenges specific to Penang, river and water monitoring and evaluation, and water-saving techniques.
The participants involved were divided into 4 groups whereby facilitators demonstrated on physical, chemical and biological assessment.
In terms of physical assessment, the participants were guided on river survey pertaining to the land-use connection with the river followed by measuring the river velocity, temperature and turbidity. WWP have also demonstrated chemical assessment of the river to the participants such as Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, pH (meter and liquid method), Dissolved Oxygen and Phosphate, to determine any presence of pollution due to agricultural activity or industrial activity.
Next, to determine the health of a river, the participants have also learnt about biological assessments whereby they get to performed ‘catch, identify and release’ of macroinvertebrates (aquatic life) in a river. Amongst aquatic life captured were the dragonfly nymph, damselfly nymph, and river prawns.
Despite a short interruption due to heavy downpour, the programme ended successfully with the next river ranger programme to be held on the 14th of July 2022.
For more information on CSR-related programme, please contact Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern at hong.wwp[at]gmail[dot]com
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