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  Channel NewsAsia 28 Oct 06
110 volunteers share water conservation tips with North West residents
By Julia Ng,

SINGAPORE : The North West district is embarking on a series of energy conservation programmes next year, and water conservation is one key focus.

Ahead of the annual Clean & Green Week next week, 110 water volunteers visited 360 households in Sembawang to share tips on how to save water, at least by some 10 litres a day.

Putting a water bag in a large 9-litre toilet cistern will save gallons of water from going to waste, so does washing dishes in a filled sink instead of under a running tap. These are some simple habits that will go a long way to save water and utilities bills.

Led by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, 110 water volunteers, 80 of whom are student volunteers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, went door to door to share these tips with residents in Sembawang and encourage them to take the 10-Litre Challenge.

The volunteers, together with 30 PUB officers, also helped residents install water-saving devices.

One good habit is to monitor the family's water bills. "I always read the (utilities) bill, and show my family how to read the graph and tell them this is what we use this month. For the water bill, we're above the national average and I'm quite bothered about it. That's why I have to remind them again and again, and everyday I must tell the children what to do," says Anizah Karim, a Sembawang Resident.

"Because I have four children, I'm very concerned about how they play with the water when we are not around. Because if I'm around, I can always keep an eye and say, what are you doing in the toilet? Why are you washing hands so long and so on," adds Madam Anizah.

One can save 9 litres of water everyday just by cutting the shower time by one minute. And if every family member can turn off the shower tap while they are soaping, the 10-litre Challenge can be met easily.

To challenge residents to save more water, North West CDC has also organised a Water Saving Contest, where 1,000 families who have the water saving devices installed compete in chalking up the highest savings in their utilities bills.

The top 50 participating families with the most savings over a three-month period will be rewarded with a $20 gift voucher. - CNA /ls
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