Introduction:
Climate change has brought about extreme weather events, including severe floods and prolonged droughts, posing significant challenges to communities worldwide. In Penang, where water scarcity and flooding are growing concerns, innovative solutions are vital for building resilience.
Flash floods (left) and Water Scarcity (right)
This initiative focuses on adapting to these challenges through rainwater harvesting at a local school. By capturing and utilizing rainwater, the project not only provides an alternative water source during droughts but also helps manage stormwater during heavy rains, reducing the risk of flooding. This approach serves as a model for sustainable water management and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
Objectives/Aim:
The objectives of this project are (i) To design and install a rainfall harvesting system in the school to have an alternative source of water, (ii) install remaining water saving fittings in the school, and/or replace traditional water-wasting fittings to reduce water demand, (iii) run a Water Saving Campaign to increase water awareness and education amongst staff and students to sensitize the staff and students, leading to reduction in water use/demand, (iv) save water and save money (reduced water bill) and make the school resilient in the face of climate change.
Content/Activity:
This project will kick off at SK Kongsi. SK Kongsi has actively performed sustainable actions in school and becomes an eminent school in sharing its practices with the other schools in Penang, especially in Barat Daya District. This school was chosen to increase its water-saving throughout the schools and it was a good start to promote lifelong education.
The phases of this project are as follows:
- Phase 1 – Design and installation of a rainfall harvesting system
- Project members and WWP staff will conduct a site visit to the SK Kongsi to discuss on the design and installation of a rainfall harvesting system. First workshop will be conducted with students and teachers to introduce the project. A set of questionnaires will be shared to evaluate the awareness of the students on water saving and climate change.
- Phase 2 – Monitoring and fixing leaks, changing traditional fittings to water friendly fittings
- After installation of the rainwater harvesting system, project members will monitor and fixing leaks of the school. In addition, remaining traditional fittings will be changed to water saving fittings to reduce water wastage. Periodic monitoring will be conducted at least once a months to the rainwater harvesting system and water usage.
- Phase 3 – Water Saving Campaign
- In the final stage, a one-day water saving campaign will be organized involves talks on water saving tips, water saving materials, competition of painting the rainwater harvesting tanks, etc. The same set of questionnaires (Phase 1) will be distributed to the students again to re-evalaute the awareness of the students on the water saving.
Timeline/Flow:
| Date | Tentative Programme/Schedule |
| January – May 2025 | – Site visit to the SK Kongsi to discuss on the design and installation of a rainfall harvesting system – First workshop will be conducted with students and teachers to introduce the project – A set of questionnaires will be shared to evaluate the awareness of the students on water saving and climate change |
| June – July 2025 | – Project members will monitor and fixing leaks of the school – Remaining traditional fittings will be changed to water saving fittings to reduce water wastage – Periodic monitoring will be conducted |
| August – December 2025 | – A one-day water saving campaign will be organized involves talks on water saving tips, water saving materials, competition of painting the rainwater harvesting tanks, etc. – Re-evalaution the awareness of the students on the water saving |
Output/Outcome:
Immediate Outputs:
The immediate output as soon as the project ends will result in an increase of awareness from students and teachers at SK Kongsi in practising water-saving and aware the importance on save water in general. This project will also see positive partnerships between the private sector, NGOs, schools and government agencies.
Long-Term Outcomes:
This project is expected to produce long-term outcomes in water-saving practices where the other schools can inspire by this initiative and also do the same thing to their schools. This initiative also led to substantial cost savings, as the reduction in water usage lowered the school’s monthly water bills.