SK Sri Kelana pupils use rainwater-harvesting system

FROM recycling to creative projects, the pupils of SK Sri Kelana in SS5, Petaling Jaya, are exposed to a variety of environmental initiatives through the school’s Smart Ranger club.

The club embarked on a sustainable programme by the Education Ministry and Department of Environment (DoE) in collaboration with the Global Environment Centre in 2009 with a tree-planting programme, which subsequently expanded to an extensive recycling campaign and other environmental activities.

SK Sri Kelana, along with the Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association (Djroa), are two institutions in Petaling Jaya that have implemented the rainwater-harvesting system.

Headmistress Rohayah Mohamad Sarif said the idea for a rainwater-harvesting system was brought up when the school was looking for a way to reduce its water usage.

Not just watering plants: SK Sri Kelana pupil Bryan Nesaraj George (right) helping Ong fill up the fish pond using water collected from the school’s rainwater harvesting system.

“The system was set up in March last year with two water tanks, each with a 100-litre capacity, outside the school canteen,” she said.

“The RM2,500 spent for the set-up came from money collected from selling recyclable materials and prizes from recycling competitions,” she said.

Water from the system is used to water plants in the school compound, make enzymes, fill up the fish pond and for cleaning.

Rohayah said the club carried out recycling and other green programmes in the school and had won various competitions.

She credited teacher and club coordinator Ong Kien Eik for his efforts in getting the programme running.

Community initiative: Yew (left) watering the plants around the Djroa’s community centre using water from the rainwaterharvesting system. With him are Djroa Environment Section coordinator Ng Ah Sang (centre) and Fong.

“Smart Ranger aims to educate the children on sustainable efforts and going green,” said Ong.

“Besides the 65 club members, we have a pool of 23 parents and teachers who help in various ways based on their experience and expertise,” he said.

He hopes that Smart Ranger would be able to build another rainwater-harvesting system with a sprinkler for the school’s orchid garden, and build more shelters made from recyclable materials.

Year Six pupil Maya Md Yunus said being in the club had taught her about recycling, reducing energy usage and the importance of protecting the environment.

Reusing rainwater: Nur Rahmah (centre), Bryan Nesaraj George (left) and Maya watering plants in their school compound using water from the school’s rainwater harvesting system.

“We are more conscious about separating our garbage and recycling and we also do it at home,” said the 12-year-old.

Fellow Year Six pupil Nur Rahmah Abd Ghani, who is also Smart Ranger president, said they did not mind sacrificing their recess time to separate recyclable materials that were brought to school by students and teachers because they were doing their bit to save the environment.

The Djroa’s rainwater-harvesting system was initiated by the association as a demonstration project for the community in support of the government’s call for green technology.

“The project aims to create awareness on water conservation and serves as part of Djroa’s social responsibility as a community-based organisation,” said project technical adviser Fong Tian Yong, who is also an engineer.

“The system, installed at Djroa’s community centre in November last year, features a rain storage tank that automatically switches over to the Syabas tank when the rainwater supply dries up.

“Other design components include a first flush diverter, gutter, leaf eater and a 2,000-litre water tank.”

The project was carried out using a RM15,000 grant from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and designed with the help of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia and Technological Association of Malaysia.

Water collected from the system is used for watering plants at the community centre’s compound, nearby herbal garden, general washing and toilet-flushing.

Djroa president Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe said the association was willing to share the details of the system with other community organisations and developers, and planned to collaborate with schools as part of its outreach programme.

“Some households have even been inspired by our project and installed their own rainwater harvesting system at their homes.

“The single tank is sufficient for our community centre’s activities for now but there is space to accommodate more in the future.”

Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong cited 1Utama Shopping Centre as another example because the mall had managed to save 30% on its water bill after implementing the system.

She said among the benefits were that the rainwater was re-used for everyday household activities, saving on water bill, reduction in surface run-off (water flowing into drains and storm drains) and prevented flooding.

Wong, who holds the Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment portfolio, said there would be more initiatives to encourage rainwater-harvesting in Petaling Jaya.

“It is now mandatory for developers of housing schemes in Petaling Jaya to install rainwater-harvesting facilities,” she said.

“The MBPJ introduced this new ruling at the end of last year and it applies to all developers.

“The council will eventually work out a similar guideline for high-rise properties.”

Wong said the rainwater-harvesting programme for schools would be expanded statewide this year under the “Friends of the Environment” programme under the DoE.

“We are targeting to implement the programme at two to four schools in each parliamentary constituency.

“The system implemented by Djroa will be used as an example and expanded to other community centres in Petaling Jaya. Ideally, there should be one community centre in each zone and they can get MBPJ’s assistance to install the system,” said Wong.

“Each project should cost RM15,000 and the returns are definitely worth it. I have also asked all local councils to implement the system during the standing committee meeting this year,” Wong said.

The Bukit Lanjan assemblyman plans to have one system installed at the Bandar Utama 3 community centre this year and at the Bandar Sri Damansara and Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara community halls.

The Djroa can be contacted at 03-7729 9098 or djroapj@gmail.com.