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also PUB Press Release, 24 Aug 05 PUB Launches Our Waters Programme To Nurture Ownership Of Water Resources Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 05 PUB launches programme to nurture ownership of water resources SINGAPORE : Singapore's national water agency, PUB, has unveiled a new programme to get Singaporeans excited about its waterways, reservoirs and reservoir parks. Called "OUR WATERS," the initiative aims to encourage individuals and groups to take ownership of specific areas. Nature lovers can now call any of the nine reservoirs, five reservoir parks and about 30 waterways their own - by adopting these nature havens. PUB's Director of 3P Network Yap Kheng Guan says it hopes, through "OUR WATERS," to raise public awareness on the importance of keeping water resources clean. The programme was launched at the St. Andrew's Village. The three schools there - St Andrew's Junior, St Andrew's Secondary and St Andrew's Junior College - were among the first to come on board the programme. They have "adopted" the stretch of Kallang River that divides the junior and secondary schools from the future junior college. The river will be the centre of many activities the three schools are planning to organise, including their annual water carnival-cum-family day, river cleaning, organised river patrols and classes on riverine studies. "I hope to learn more about the river, have more activities along the river, do frequent clean-ups and have more water sports there like kayaking and skiing," said Lee Wei An, a student at St. Andrew's Junior. Said Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim: "Kallang River is part of the Marina Barrage and being an urban catchment, cleanliness will be an issue. So instead of looking for volunteers to help us keep it clean, we are encouraging them to use that stretch of the river for activities." Contributions, either financially or in kind to develop and maintain the public facilities are also welcomed. Ten groups have so far pledged their support for the programme. They include Waterways Watch Society (Singapore and Kallang rivers), Kolam Ayer Constituency Grassroot (Kallang River), Punggol South Civil Defence Executive Committee (Sungei Serangoon), Temasek Polytechnic (Bedok Reservoir), Dunman High School (Geylang River), Temasek Secondary School (Kallang Basin) and Boat Quay Business Association (Singapore River).) More information about 'Our Waters' is available on the PUB website. PUB Press Release, 24 Aug 05 PUB Launches Our Waters Programme To Nurture Ownership Of Water Resources Singapore: PUB, the national water agency, today unveiled a new programme called Our Waters, aimed at getting Singaporeans to play an active role in caring for Singapore’s waterways, reservoirs and reservoir parks. There are nine reservoirs, five reservoir parks and about 30 waterways up for “adoption”. Interested individuals or groups can take charge of a specific area in various ways: by doing clean-ups and organising outreach programmes; contributing financially or in kind; and through the development and maintenance of public facilities. Their participation is for at least two years. Our Waters programme was officially launched at St Andrew’s Village by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. The schools in St Andrew’s Village - St Andrew’s Junior School, St Andrew’s Secondary School and St Andrew’s Junior College – are amongst the first to sign up for Our Waters programme by “adopting” the stretch of Kallang River that divides the junior and secondary schools from the future junior college. “Water is a precious resource and through the Our Waters programme, more people can come forward and play an active role in helping PUB manage our water resources. This is one of the ways that we hope to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of keeping our water resources clean, which is a key factor in ensuring that Singapore can have a sustainable water supply,” said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, PUB’s Director of 3P Network. Added Mr Yap: “Our Waters programme is more than just about clean-ups. We encourage groups from the private, people and public sectors to develop the water resources they have selected to take care of, by organising activities in and around the waters or by building facilities for the public’s enjoyment such as barbeque pits, tables and benches, fitness corners, playgrounds or even pontoons at the various reservoirs and waterways.” Indeed, the three schools at St Andrew’s Village have big plans for Our Waters programme. Said Mrs Belinda Charles, the Principal of St Andrew’s Secondary School: “A bridge is currently being built to link the junior and secondary schools with the junior college on the opposite end. The river will be the centre of many activities the three schools are planning to organise. These include our annual water carnival cum family day, river cleaning, classes on riverine studies and even the formation of a river patrol.” Ten groups have pledged their support for Our Waters programme so far. Besides the three schools in St Andrew’s Village, the rest include Waterways Watch Society (Singapore and Kallang rivers), Kolam Ayer Constituency Grassroot (Kallang River), Punggol South Civil Defence Executive Committee (Sungei Serangoon), Temasek Polytechnic (Bedok Reservoir), Dunman High School (Geylang River), Temasek Secondary School (Kallang Basin) and Boat Quay Business Association (Singapore River). PUB’s longtime partner, Waterways Watch Society (WWS), is pleased that the Our Waters programme has been launched. WWS has been active since 1998, conducting weekend river patrols at the Singapore and Kallang rivers. Said its president Eugene Heng, who was conferred the Public Service Medal during this year’s National Day Awards: “WWS will be most happy to support participants of Our Waters programme by conducting training and sharing our experiences. It is good to get more participation as any litter thrown in places as far as Ang Mo Kio and Bishan will eventually end up in the Singapore and Kallang rivers.” To sign up or find out more about Our Waters programme, interested parties are invited to visit www.pub.gov.sg or email ng_yew_teck@pub.gov.sg. PUB will provide advice on the feasibility of proposals and help participants with their activities. About PUB PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources. It is the water agency that manages Singapore's water supply, water catchment and sewerage in an integrated way. About PUB's tagline: Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water). To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporeans to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. We can then have enough water for all uses - for industry, for living, for life, now and for generations to come. Speech by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources at the Launch of PUB's Our Waters Programme at St Andrew's Village on 24 August 2005, 9:30am links Related articles on Singapore: Recreation in our wild places and Singapore: water issues |
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