SINGAPORE - More than 4,000 participants from 30 organisations and educational institutions pledged on Saturday (March 3) to do their part at home to save water and fight climate change.
In particular, they promised to adopt five household habits - taking shorter showers, half-flushing toilets when possible, washing vegetables and dishes in a container, using a mug when brushing their teeth and washing clothes only on a full load.
They were at the Marina Barrage to celebrate Singapore World Water Day (SWWD) which was held on Saturday (March 3). The event is organised every year by national water agency PUB and activities to mark the day go on for a month, although globally World Water Day is held on March 22.
President Halimah Yacob, who was the guest of honour, launched the event. Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli were also present.
According to PUB's household water consumption study, which involved 400 households from 2016 to 2017, showering, flushing toilets, using the kitchen and doing laundry accounted for about three quarters of a household's total water use.
Showering alone takes up 27 per cent of a household's monthly water consumption, using an average of nine litres of water per minute.
Speaking at the event, Madam Halimah said: "Many may not be aware, but taking small steps to minimise water usage for these activities can make a significant contribution in our overall conservation efforts."
She added that the event carries a greater significance this year since Singapore has designated 2018 to be the Year of Climate Action, a national initiative aimed at raising awareness of climate change.
This year's SWWD campaign will also see 95 schools, including 61 preschools, taking part in a water rationing exercise, which aims to help students better understand the value of water. This is more than twice the 45 schools that participated last year.
On World Water Day on March 22, Singapore's landmarks like the Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Resorts World Sentosa will be lit in blue light from 7pm in support of the sustainability cause.
