The Salcon Smart Water Programme, a CSR initiative between Salcon Engineering Berhad and Water Watch Penang (WWP), took place at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi on September 28, 2024. The programme was participated by a total of 38 students and 5 teachers from SMK Taman Ehsan in Kepong, along with Salcon Berhad’s representative, Mr. Chin Yaw Ying, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Executive and Aini Suhailah Binti Mukhtar, the Corporate Affairs Protégé.

In the first session, the participants were given an information about rivers, water and the national water issues, facilitated by Dr. Hong Chern Wern, the Executive Manager of WWP. Together with Education Officers Ms. Fatin Azahara and Ms. Nur Atiqah, supported by trained facilitators Mr. Yee Jean Chai, and Ms. Elsheena Joan, and assisted of interns Ms. Nurul Husna, Ms. Khor Ci Shan, and Ms. Nurul Fatin.

Four student groups participated in the river activity session. The first task involved evaluating the water’s physical and chemical properties with test kits to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite. The colorimetric readings from the kits made the experience engaging and helped the students understand the process better.

In the next activity, students utilized tools to identify macroinvertebrates, which serve as indicators of river health. They ‘captured’ a variety of macroinvertebrates, including dragonfly nymphs, freshwater shrimp and prawns, caddisfly nymphs, and other water bugs. The students were also treated to a microscope session whereby they got to see the caddisfly larvae close-up.

At the end of the programme, Salcon presented certificates and souvenirs to the students and teachers from SMK Taman Ehsan, Kepong. Water Watch Penang thanked Salcon for their ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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.