Smart Partnerships in Water Efficiency Management Towards a Green Economy with Particular Reference to Malaysia Chan Ngai Weng, Professor | Prof Dr Ngai Weng Chan graduated with Honours in Geography (1977) and Masters in Climatology & Meteorology (1981) from the University of Malaya. In 1995, he obtained his Ph.D. in Environmental Hazards Management from Middlesex University (UK). From 1977 to 1985 he worked at the Geography Department, University of Malaya as a Tutor. In 1986 he joined Universiti Sains Malaysia as a Lecturer, where he taught and researched in physical geography. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1996. From 2001 he has been Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Hazards Management at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. |
Universiti Sains Malaysia Online published on 28 May, 2012. Abstract The Rio+20 international meeting in 2012 will push for a green economy for all countries. Such an economy depends on green businesses built on the entire process of production from the production of the raw materials to processing, manufacturing, packing, distribution, consumption and handling of the waste products in an environmentally friendly way. It includes inputs into the production process such as energy, raw materials and water. Water is needed if an economy is to develop. In many developed countries, lack of water has necessitated the use of technology such as dual-flush cisterns, water regulators and rainfall harvesting systems which have substantially increased water efficiency and reduced water consumption/demand. Results from many studies have shown that water behaviour can be manipulated and changed to achieve specified targets. For example, water pressures and water flow can be easily manipulated via technical solutions. When water has reached the consumers, water consumption can also be reduced via controlling pressure, use of water friendly equipment, restriction valves, water regulators, dual-flush toilet systems and pressurised flush systems which require less water. Large water users such as big hotels, universities, factories and industries need to adopt technical water demand management measures to change water behaviour and to change human behaviour related to water use. When the behaviour of an entire society or country towards wise water consumption, water savings can be substantial, as is the case of Japan, Denmark and Singapore. This paper aims to highlight best management practices in Malaysia, both in technology and human behavioural change in water efficiency management. It seeks to highlight alternative, affordable and highly effective measures of changing human behaviour in relation to water and water use towards long term sustainability of water resources. Top |