Wednesday 07/04/12
Good Day!!
Whoa today was super fun!!! The lecture was packed full of wonderful information and we got to play in the river!! Well, more like learn how to determine a river’s health (class 1 through 5), but it felt more like enjoying the outdoors than work! \( ^_^)/
Today’s itinerary:
9am
- Briefing by Prof Chan Ngai Weng
11am
- Visit to Waterfall Plant [Botanical Gardens] which was closed so we didn’t get to go.
- Water Watch Penang
12pm
- Lunch [Own Arrangement]
Afternoon
- Free & Easy
We learned a whole lot today!
Major Issues of Water Resources Sustainability in Penang State – Chan Ngai Weng, Ph.D.
- Sperm count is lower than before because of the garbage we are eating compared to previous generations.
- There are 5 different classes of water (water health): 1-3 you can drink and 4-5 is for boating/draining (grey/brown water)
- Half the world’s rivers are drying up which means there will be major problems, especially by 2025. There is an expectation of a refugee boom period.
- There are lots of dams and irrigation, so naturally they drying up the land.
- At least 40% of water should be used for catchment for survival
- Georgetown is the Venice of the Orient when it floods. The Saudi Arabian’s LOVE the flooding in Penang (sort of like tourist boom)
- Most people are paid daily. So when it floods and you cannot make it to work, then you are not paid. Salaried people are paid monthly, regardless if flooding interferes.
- Flash floods come out of nowhere and is gone in hours
- High rates of non-revenue water is considered developed (10%)
- Water Watch Penang is an NGO that teaches the community how to classify their local water
- Hop in your local river and search for certain local fish, prawns, insects, amphibians, etc. to determine the class of a river. Remember, certain wildlife can sustain life in certain stages of a river’s health.
Now for the fun part:
I didn’t take many pictures today, so I stole some of my dorm-mates! lol Love you Guerda!
Krystal
