| This action submitted in Local Actions at 4th World Water Forum (2006). | |
| Date | Mar.2,2007 |
| Region | Asia |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Actor(s) [Nation (Ministry, Agency)/Organization] |
Water Watch Penang |
| Partner(s) | Universiti Sains Malaysia Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd |
| Title | Water Watch Penang: Creation of a Water Saving Society |
| Objective | Impact of WWPs implemented activities are mostly in the social and educational area in terms of greater public awareness, deeper understanding of water issues, and capacity building amongst public and NGOs. It is believed that the impact of the activities is slowly changing peoples mindset about water use. More importantly, it is changing the way in which government is approaching water resources management, i.e. from a largely Water Supply Management (WSM) approach towards a more comprehensive approach incorporating WSM, Water Demand Management (WDM) and cooperation with industry and NGOs. WWP expect that a water saving society would only be realised in another genaration. It is certainly not easy to change peoples mindset and habits overnight. We expect positive results after implementation. In the short-term we are already seeing results in that students under our programmes have begin to practise water savings in schools, people have changed habits in homes, and government and industry are now cooperating with each otehr and with NGOs, something that is unthinkable in the past. In the long-term, the impacts are expected to be the creation of a water saving society that uses water wisely and frugally. The knock-on effects include other NGOs in other states copying our methods and activities. WWP has in fact taught and worked with other NGOs in other states in Malaysia towards sustainable water resources management. As mentioned, the social impacts would include benefits to grassroots communities being more resilient in terms of water stress - people would be using less water, they would have other means of getting access to water (via rainfall harvesting, wells, streams etc). Poor people would not have to worry as WWP has proposed a progressive water tariffs based on the principle of "the more you use, the more you pay". When society is water saving, the total water demand would be reduced and there would be less water stress, even during times of drought. This would definitely improved the quality of life as there would be less water cuts, water rationing, or water pollution. Economically, water service providers would be able to improve on efficiency and quality as WWP activities include assessment of water service providers. With WWP watching over them and reporting them to the government and the public, water service providers and industry have to improve, whether they like it or not. WWP activities also include promoting protection of water catchments via gazettement of forests and water catchments. These will protect the environment and enhace environmental quality. Ultimately, all these will improve water quantity and quality and enhance the overall water environment. The scale of the impact is mostly local and within river basins in Penang State but in some cases where basins cut across states, inter-basin activities are carried out. |
| Contents | Society in Malaysia in general and Penang State in particular, is generally a wasteful society in that too much water is used and wasted. Water is provided very cheap as the tariffs are heavily subsidised by government, ostensibly to enable the poor to get access to water and not to burden the masses. Government also tries to attract foreign investors in the form of factories and multi-nationals into the country by offering cheap water tariffs. This is where all the problem arises. Though the country is blessed with adequate rainfall and abundant raw water, cheap water tariffs and rapid development coupled with rapid population increase (natural increase and immigration) have combined to threaten the sustainability of water resources. Pollution, climate change, destruction of water catchments and other reasons have all exacerbated water resources in terms of deteriorating quantity and quality. Malaysian society too is largely a water wasting society in that large amounts of water is used, the average per capita water consumption is more than 300 litres per day. Urban dwellers are even using more than 500 litres per capita per day. Water Watch Penang (WWP) has carried out activities in Penang State in cooperation with government, industry, water service provider and other NGOs/organizations as WWP believes in the principle of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs). WWP has successfully carried out water activities since 1997 in Penang State as well as throughout Malaysia. Why? Our objectives are to promote the creation of a water saving society, water conservation through education and awareness, and win-win situation for all (government, industry and public). Difficulties in implementing the activities involve lack of funds, low water tariffs, and scepticism from certain quarters. WWP activities have been successful as government, industry and NGOs are more willing to cooperate with WWP. People in Penang State are also showing an improved attitude towards water saving. Government has also consulted WWP when increasing water tariffs. WWP has also successfully forged an annual programme of action that is fully funded by a water service provider in penang State. The action is implemented in Penang State in Malaysia. WWP is also involved with international networks such as SEA Capnet, Alliance for Responsible, Plural and United World, The World Citizens Assembly on Water, and other networks. We have also been invited to speak at the World Water Forum 3 in Kyoto. |
| Means of Implementation |
StakeHolder; Types of stakeholders involved INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (i) The Penang State Government (ii) Industry (Ford Motor, DANIDA) and Water Service Providers (Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang) (iii) International bodies (UNDP, etc) (iv) NGOs (WWF Malaysia, Global Environment Centre, Malaysian Nature Society, Malaysian Environmental NGOs, Consumers Association of Penang, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association, etc) (v) Educational and Research Institutions (Asian Institute of Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia) Means; (i) The Penang State Government provide funding, cooperation, manpower, equipment and political support. (ii) Industry (Ford Motor, DANIDA) and Water Service Providers (Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang) provides funding. (iii) International bodies (UNDP, etc) provides funding. (iv) NGOs (WWF Malaysia, Global Environment Centre, Malaysian Nature Society, Malaysian Environmental NGOs, Consumers Association of Penang, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association, etc) provides joint projects, cooperation, exchange of expertise and knowledge, equipment, networking, funding, etc. (v) Educational and Research Institutions (Asian Institute of Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia) provides advice and expertise. Ideas; This activity can be applied anywhere. Costs; Costing is our annual budget of US$20,000 which we obtain from government, industry and other sources. |
| CSD Decision |
D-d-(ii):Providing technical and management support to local authorities and community-based organizations, taking into account research, traditional knowledge and best practices, to improve water resources management within national policy frameworks; |
| Attachment | |
| Situation | Complete |
| Target Year | Problems to assure sustainability (What are the obstacles toward sustainability) - obstacles include sustainability of funding and commitment of all parties. Plans of the actors to continue and expand the action - this can be expanded to other states and countires. |
| Target Area / Place | Region:Asia-Pacific Scope:Basin |
| Expected Outcome(S) | Lessons Learnt · The traditional sectoral-based water management approach is totally ineffective and IWRM can only be effective when all stakeholders are actively involved · Smart-partnerships between government, industry, NGOs and the public are effective and provide win-win situations for all stakeholders · Capacity building and the participatory approach are vital to effective and successful IWRM because if the public does not cooperate, all measures are doomed to fail. · NGOs can be very committed and effective in assisting government in implementing IWRM and ensuring transparency. It is imperative that government involve NGOs at all levels of IWRM. · Neither a Top-Down nor Bottom-Up approach is effective but a comprehensive approach involving all levels of society on a level playing field. Government needs to relinquish some areas of water management to NGOs and the public. · Water Supply Management is ineffective in the long run and must include Water Demand Management (includes Recycling). |
| Relevance to the Plan of Implementation of WSSD |
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| Progress | |
| Link | |
| Other Information |
Type of Action; Isolated Relevant Agencies; Government,Multilateral,Private,NGO Orientation; Corrective/Preventive Replicability; Yes 4th World Water Forum: Local Actions ID; LA1120 Forum Secretariat Recommendation ; No Kyoto Prize Finalist; No Presented in Sessions; Yes Original Language; English |
| Contact Person | Ngai Weng Chan |
| Position | Chan Ngai Weng has a PhD in Hydrology & Water Resources Management. He is currently Professor in Physical Geography at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia. Professional Activities in clued lecturing on Physical Geography, Hydrology, Weather & Climate, and Water Resources & Hazards Management. Also consultant to Government Agencies, Private Companies and NGOs in the field of Hydrology, Climate, Environment & Water Resources Studies. Visiting Academic of Middlesex University (UK), Member of International Water Resources Association (IWRA) and International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), and Director of The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS). NGO activities include President of Water Watch Penang (WWP) since 1997, Co-ordinator Water Watch Asia since 2001. Chairman Malaysian Nature Society (Penang Branch) 1999 - 2000. Has completed more than 30 research & consultancy projects/studies and published more than 100 professional papers, the bulk of which are in the area of water resources management. He lectures in Universiti Sains Malaysia. He is President of Water Watch Penang, an NGO dedicated to water resources conservation. He has published more than 100 papers and completed more than 30 concultancy works in the area of water resources management. He is currently actively involved in water conservation and education in creating public awareness in water savings. He is recognised internationally and nationally as one of the prominent activits in the area of water resources management. |
| nwchan@usm.my | |
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