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The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Ma Lee-tak, said today (July 6) that schools and families have always been important partners of the Water Supplies Department (WSD), and that collaboration among the three parties is essential to help instill water saving habits among students. He added that the WSD would continue its promotional activities and provide sufficient materials for teachers, students and families to learn more about the importance of protecting our water resources.
At today's presentation ceremony for the "Water Conservation Ambassador Selection Scheme 2011/12" at Youth Square, Chai Wan, Mr Ma and other officiating guests presented certificates to this year's Water Conservation Ambassadors in recognition of their achievements in reducing water usage in daily life.
Mr Ma said that a water conservation education centre would be launched in the coming school year to encourage students to learn more about the city's water resources. In line with the school syllabus, Primary Four students will be given priority in making appointments to visit the centre.
The WSD rolled out the "Water Conservation Starts from Home" promotional campaign at all primary schools in 2009, of which the Water Conservation Ambassadors Selection Scheme is one of the major activities. Participating students are required to submit the number of their household members and the volume of their fresh water consumption. Students with the best results in water conservation will then be appointed as Water Conservation Ambassadors as a way of promoting water saving habits among the young generation.
More than 4,000 students enrolled in the scheme this year, of whom 587 have been appointed as Water Conservation Ambassadors. Some students have even been awarded for the second time, which shows water saving has become a habit of these awardees as well as their family members. To commend schools' efforts and support in promoting water conservation on campus, the scheme also introduced inter-school awards this year under the titles "Top 10 Active Participation School" and "School Commendation".
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water Resources and Quality of Water Supplies (ACRQWS), Dr Chan Hon-fai; Chairperson of the Working Group on Public Education of ACRQWS, Ms Nicole Wong; Chairperson of the Working Group on Publication of Water Quality Data of ACRQWS, Dr Richard Cheung; and Chairperson of the Working Group on Quality of Water in Buildings of ACRQWS, Mr Ivan Lau. Led by Dr Chan, the new ambassadors pledged to urge their family members, schoolmates and friends to take action in saving water and to work together in protecting our precious water resources.
For easy reference, the lists of the 2011/12 Water Conservation Ambassadors and awarded schools have been uploaded onto the WSD website at www.wsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, July 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:53
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