KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, Selangor, is now turning rain into a resource.
A newly installed harvesting system collects rainwater for daily non-potable uses, considerably reducing the school's reliance on treated water.
The "Catch the Rain, Ease the Strain" project, the brainchild of the Rotaract Club of Klang Valley, channels collected rainwater to water plants, wash school grounds and flush toilets.
The system was completed with strong backing from local leaders and the community, raising RM31,000 in funding, including a significant contribution from Kota Kemuning assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan.
A ceremony marking the project's completion was held at the school yesterday, attended by local leaders, Rotary and Rotaract members, and school administrators.
Speaking at the event, Rotaract Club of Klang Valley Charter president and project founder Mahija Menon said the system reflects a simple yet practical approach to water conservation.
"It is not something overly complex. It is a practical system the school can put to use every time it rains," she said.
Mahija said the initiative was designed to provide a sustainable water solution for the school while also showing students that water conservation can start with simple, everyday actions.
She added that the project would serve as a hands-on learning opportunity to help students appreciate the importance of saving water and embracing sustainable habits early on.
The project comes at a time of growing concern over water security in Malaysia, with El Niño-driven heat and dry spells already straining supplies in several states, including Perlis and Kedah.
The organisers hope the system will serve as a lasting resource for the school and its students, while instilling greater awareness among the younger generation on the importance of water conservation.
They also hope the initiative will encourage students to view water conservation as an achievable everyday practice and inspire similar efforts within the wider community.
Also present at the event were SK Taman Sri Muda headmaster Arifin Awang, Parent-Teacher Association chairman Azlan Mat Jan, Rotary Malaysia District governor-elect Dr Raj Kumar and Rotary Malaysia past district governor Dr Manohur Kurup.
-- BERNAMA