Wat-er Waste! We Are Tops In Letting Water Go Down The Drain

Wat-er waste! Malaysians tend to waste the most amount of water as compared to other consumers in the region.

And, that's not all. About 70 per cent of Malaysians surveyed said they would continue the current water usage for the next three years.

According to Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui, the Domestic Water Consumption Study found that Malaysians used an average of 226 litres of water daily, as compared to Singapore (155 litres) and Thailand (90 litres).

The study is a collaboration between Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) and the ministry.

"The recommended water consumption for this country is 165 litres per day, and this is a sad reflection on the wasteful nature of the public who do not practice sustainable water consumption.

"Should Malaysians follow recommended water conservation measures, then consumers can save up to 28.2 cubic metres per household, which translates into a savings of RM18.33 a month," he said when opening the Green Community Carnival 2011 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here Sunday.

Chin said the study also revealed that 70 per cent of Malaysians surveyed indicated they were not likely to reduce water usage in their homes in the next three years.

"We do not realise that our little action such as leaving the tap running while brushing our teeth and ignoring leaky faucets could cause a substantial amount of treated water going down the drain.

"There is an urgent need to identify problem areas and risk factors in relation to the environment and quality of life," he noted.

The one-day carnival themed, '1Hijau 1Komuniti' organised by the ministry and GreenTech Malaysia was aimed at encouraging the community to adopt a greener way of life, protect and preserve the environment, introduce green products and highlight green initiatives advocated by the government to promote green living.

The event, which drew about 4,000 visitors, saw various activities such as green games for children and a mini-concert, among others.- BERNAMA