********************************************
With proud parents and teachers watching, about 400 primary school students were today (July 12) appointed as "Water Conservation Ambassadors" by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) for their achievements in water conservation.
To encourage more primary school students to reduce water consumption, the WSD launched the "Water Conservation Ambassador Selection Scheme" last year. Participating students submitted information covering aspects such as the number of members in their household and the amount of fresh water consumed by their household members. By analysing the data collected, the WSD selected those students who had achieved the best results in assisting water conservation. So far, over 3,400 students from 49 schools have taken part in the scheme this year. The number of ambassadors selected has also increased, with 576 students now spreading the water conservation message among their peers.
Officiating at the presentation ceremony in Youth Square, Chai Wan, today were the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Ma Lee-tak; Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water Supplies (ACQWS), Professor Ho Kin-Chung; Chairperson of the Working Group on Public Education of ACQWS, Ms Nicole Wong; Chairperson of the Working Group on Publications of Water Quality Data of ACQWS, Dr Richard Cheung; and Chairperson of the Working Group on Quality of Water in Buildings of ACQWS, Mr Kenneth Chan. Certificates were presented to the ambassadors and participating schools.
Led by Professor Ho, the new ambassadors pledged to urge their family members, schoolmates and friends to take action in saving water, so as to better protect our planet's precious water resources. The WSD also took the opportunity to commend those schools which have participated in various educational activities on water conservation in recent years.
The "Water Conservation Starts from Home" campaign was rolled out in all primary schools in 2009 to promote water conservation. Speaking at today's ceremony, Mr Ma remarked that the campaign marks only the beginning of efforts to conserve water usage. The department will launch a Water Saving Competition targeted at domestic users, with several households being asked to form teams to take part in the competition. Through the interaction between neighbours and friends, it is hoped that every household will place greater emphasis on water conservation. Details of the competition will be announced in September.
A full list of the 2010/11 Water Conservation Ambassadors is available on the WSD's website at www.wsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:26
NNNN
