More and more developers of today are also adopting the green practices in their projects to qualify for green buildings status, and take advantage of the increasing environmental literacy among the public.
Water shortage episodes in recent years, such as the dry spell during ElNino, have forced us to accept that we have serious water issues in Klang Valley. If not addressed, it can become critical.
This is a pressing global issue. Last year, the World Water Development report by the United Nations warned that the world would face a 40 per cent shortfall of freshwater supply in about 15 years.
What was made obvious was that the forces destroying the world’s freshwater supply were largely the result of human activities. Growing population, rapid development and sloppy water consumption pattern in urban areas especially are major concerns.
So far, water rationing has been a good opportunity to increase awareness among KL residents, but lasting improvement in water habits remain to be seen. With serious and immediate changes in water management and consumption pattern, however, the future generation still have hopes in averting chronic water shortage.
More and more developers of today are also adopting the green practices in their projects to qualify for green buildings status, and take advantage of the increasing environmental literacy among the public. Many embed water conservation in their development plans.
Some conservation measures adopted by developers in recent times include water efficient fittings, energy efficient lighting, district cooling system, rainwater and daylight harvesting system, and efficient landscape irrigation, among others.
Rainwater harvesting is especially beginning to pick up for domestic use, where the entry cost to the system is quite affordable for individual home owners. The rainwater harvested, which essentially involves the collection, storage and distribution of rainwater from the roof, can be used in the garden, in washing machines, to wash cars and flush toilets.
