No Plastic Bottle at World Water Day, Sabah

This is the first ever State Level World Water Day (WWD) in Kita Kinabalu, co-organised by Jabatan Air Negeri Sabah, Jabatan Kerja Raya Sabah, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran Sabah and The Institution of Engineers Malaysia Sabah Branch.

A series of related entries will be following shortly but just for eye opener, I'll share some introductory facts about the theme - Water and Food Security. This year marks the 19th Anniversary of the WWD and the theme is one that was chosen by United Nation.

The amount of water on our planet is 97.5% salt water, and only 2.5% is fresh water. The 2.5% freshwater is made up of 68.5% water locked in glaciers, 30.8% is groundwater and 0.3% are lakes and rivers. One-third of the world's population now lives in countries where there is not enough water or its quality compromised, and by 2025 the UN assessed that this number shall increase to two-third. That's just 12 to 13 years from now!

If nothing is done to sustain the availability of freshwater, its scarcity shall increase and the world shall be hungry, especially when the world's population keeps growing. Currently 70% of available water is used in agriculture for the production of food.

The conference doesn't allow plastic bottles in the event. That's cool!

WWD is an international day to celebrate freshwater and it was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and 22 March 1993 was designated as the first World WaterDay.

Since then nations around the world have been celebrating WWD each year by organising their own activities.

World Water Day Conference 2012 - Sabah

Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu

Organised by Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, the Sabah State Level World Water Day Conference 2012 will be held this month in the state capital as follows:

Date : 20th – 22nd March 2012 (Tuesday – Thursday)

Time : Please refer schedule attached

Venue : Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu

At the end of the conference, participants will have the opportunity to visit one of the following installations or research centres of their choice. A visit at the Sewage Treatment Plant would be interesting. This treatment plant is still under construction and is nearly at its completion stage.

CHOICES OF SITE VISIT

1) Telibong Water Treatment Plant, Tamparuli

Water supply to Kota Kinabalu City and its vicinities stretching from Papar, Kimanis in the South and Tamparuli, Tuaran in the

North are experiencing inadequate water supply situation due to the rapid urbanized development.

In view of the urgent need to increase water production capacities and supply distribution networks, the fast track Telibong Water Supply Scheme was implemented. The plant will have a capacity of 80MLD to meet demand up to year 2015.

2) Regional Sewage Treatment Plant Under Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Scheme Phase 1, Penampang By-Pass.

The proposed scope of work for Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Phase 1 involves the provision of sewer networks 20,000 metre, refurbishment of existing pump stations and construction of a new regional sewage treatment plant (RSTP Penampang). The project cost for Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Phase 1 is RM183,335,000.00.

The RSTP is located at Jalan Pintas and the area is about 22.296 acres. The RSTP can cater up to 300,000PE including the future extension projected up to year 2020. The RSTP can have 4 Intermittent Decant Extended Aeration (IDEA) tanks with each tank serving 75,000PE. Under phase 1 only 1 IDEA tanks will be constructed.

3) Agriculture Research Centre, Tuaran

The Tuaran Agriculture Research Station was set up in 1963 mainly for carrying out research activities on agriculture crops. The main activities include research on food crops such as rice and vegetables, crop physiology, pest and disease, and soils. The center also provides analytical services for soil and foliar analysis, and pesticide residues on vegetables.

4) Stesen Perikanan Air Tawar, Babagon

The Tagal System is a smart partnership between local communities and government agency Department of Fisheries Sabah (DOFS) to protect, conserve & manage the river resources in Sabah. Benefits included the upgrading of the river ecosystem & improvement of fish landing.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Managing Directors, Senior Managers, Federal & State Government Officers, Agriculture & Plantation Sector Managers, Professionals, Industry Analysts & Conservation Enthusiasts, Environmentalists, Environment-Consultants, etc.

If you have some time to spare, this is a good opportunity to have a good look at the water and waste water industry in Sabah. You do not have to attend the conference to visit the exhibition booth at the same venue.

Happy visiting!

Sabah State Level World Water Day 2012

I visit Jabatan Air Sabah website from time to time and as I saw this, I thought the netizens, especially those with cameras might be interested to take part. I may just send in a couple of pictures this time around. Note: the following information is copied from the department's web site and I have made available the link to that site at the end of this article.

Photography Competition

OBJECTIVES

International World Water Day is held annually on 22nd March as a means of focusing the world’s attention towards the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The world is already burdened with chronic hunger and water resources are under pressure with population surge. At all steps of the supply chain, from producers to consumers, actions can be taken to save water and ensure nutritious food for all.

As the saying ‘picture speaks a thousand words’, the Organising Committee hopes this photography competition shall create awareness on the importance of efficient consumption and sustainability of water and freshwater in ensuring sufficient supply of nutritious food to meet dietary needs.

PRIZES

Open Category
1st Prize X 1 RM 3,000.00 Cash + Certificate
2nd Prize X 1 RM 1,500.00 Cash + Certificate
3rd Prize X 1 RM 1,000.00 Cash + Certificate
Consolation x 10 RM 100.00 Cash + Certificate

Student Category (Form 5 and Below)
1st Prize X 1 RM 500.00 Cash + Certificate
2nd Prize X 1 RM 300.00 Cash + Certificate
3rd Prize X 1 RM 150.00 Cash + Certificate
Consolation x 10 RM 50.00 Cash + Certificate

Competition Calendar
Closing Date : 10th March 2012 (Saturday)
Prize Presentation : 20th March 2012 (Thursday)


PHOTO COLLECTION STATIONS

1. Evergreen Colour photo centre | Lot 7-0, ground floor, Lorong Lintas Plaza 2, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Tel : 088-256977
2. Yong’s Color Digital Lab | A20, 1st Floor, Centre Point Sabah, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Tel : 088-241700
3. Sandakan Foto (Sabah) Sdn Bhd | (Town centre) Ground floor, Lot 11, Block 23, LebuhTiga, 90000 Sandakan. Tel :089-218728 (Mile 4) Ground floor, Lot 12, Block C, Bandar Kim Fung, Batu 4 ½, Jalan Utara, 90000 Sandakan. Tel: 089-238728
4. GT Foto Studio, TB 329(A), Ground Floor, Block 41, Fajar Complex,, Tawau Tel: 089-748669

CONTACT INFO

1. Mr. Ling - 0168339992
2. Mr. Henry Ng - 0138600714

For more information, visit the Jabatan Air's webpage on Sabah State Level World Water Day 2012, Photography Competition.