I disagree with the proposal to hold regular water-rationing exercises ("Hold regular water rationing exercises" by Mr Elliot Taylor Hong; Forum Online, June 16).

In today's context, it will likely be the maids, seniors and hawkers who will suffer most in a water-rationing exercise.

The younger citizens will be at work or in school, and will not be the ones collecting water.

If the water supply is turned off for just one or two days, there will not be any memorable hardship; it will be only inconvenient.

People will generally eat out or stock up on food and bottled water to get through the exercise. If the exercise is not done nationwide, some residents will just go somewhere else temporarily to get water.

I, too, have gone through several water-rationing exercises.

However, as I was a child during that time, I did not suffer, but enjoyed queueing for water along with my family and neighbours.

I learnt of the importance of water through various government campaigns, poster drawing and composition writing during my school days.

Delivering the message of conserving water need not be in the form of a punishment.

Perhaps we could hold a three-month campaign where families whose water consumption falls below a certain point could be given heavy rebates, while those who use more could be charged very much more.

Chee Chi Weng