Min Xian’s reflection:
This trail has
helped me to understand the ABC Water program through the student’s booklet
provided for us. It provided us with a basic understanding of what ABC program
is about, which is to promote Active Beautiful and Clean waters for all,
through the transformation of Singapore’s network of drains, canals and
reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams,rivers and lakes that are well
integrated with surrounding parks and green space.
We were shown
real life examples of such features through the various stations of the trail,
an example being the rain garden. It fulfils the Clean part of the program, as
it helps detain and treat rainwater on site before allowing the water to flow
naturally to reservoirs.
I can see this
plan becoming a reality as there is evidence of many design features in the
reservoir that create Active, Beautiful and Clean waters for all. For example,
the kayaking bay (Active), the Heritage Deck (Beautiful) and the Rain Garden
(Clean). If the people of Singapore continue with this positive attitude to water,
I am sure that this plan will become a reality in a short time.
Eloise reflection:
This programme
has made me more aware of the grim consequences of littering. By littering, we
are actually endangering the lives of the aquatic organisms.
Through this trail,
I had an opportunity to test the turbidity and pH level of the water. This
experience is one that I cannot learn in class.
On the whole, I
had enjoyed this trail and hope that through this trail, others will also
take greater responsibility in keeping the environment clean.
Yushu's reflection:
This programme
has made me understand more about the lower seletar reservoir. Such as the
different facilities that the lower seletar have as well as how and why each of
them works that way so as to provide safe water for human consumption. An
example of the facility that really impressed me during the trail is the litter
trap in the canal. I was deeply amazed by the design of the litter trap and the
venue that they had placed it.
As what we saw on
that day, there were lots of litters trapped by the litter trap and thus this
actually shows how effective this litter trap is. Throughout this trail, i
learnt alot of new stuffs that i had never heard before such as the rain garden
and litter trap. On the whole, I hoped that this trail can actually let us
learnt more about our surroundings and also at the same time, educate us to
take better care of our environment.
JIa yan’s reflection
THE ABC programme
had allowed me to know understand more about the process of
obtaining water
through Local Catchment area.Rainwater at Lower Seletar Reservoir is being
collected through a comprehensive network of canals, drains, rivers, the Rain
garden and also Reservoirs .The collected water is then being treated and
disinfected water in the water treatment plant before distribution to homes,
schools, industries and offices for our daily needs.
After this trip
to Lower Seletar Reservoir, I believe that Singapore is able to transform into
a city of Gardens and Water with its advanced technology to obtain water.
However
Singaporeans must also take the responsibility to keep the environment clean.
Litter can be found in places such as grass verges, walking pavements and etc.
We can keep Singapore clean by being considerate, help collect litter on the
ground(do VIA) and also think about how others would think about our country
known as the ‘Garden City’ when people can be found littering .
Joanna’s reflection:
This programme
has helped me to gain more knowledge about the waters in Singapore and the
maintenance provided so that it can support the biodiversity of humans, plants
and animals.
Rainwater is
collected in the reservoirs which is then treated at the local water treatment
plants which clean the water of its unclean particles and chemicals. After the
water is being treated, it is that distributed to homes, schools and other
facilities which require water. There were other measures taken to make sure
that the water distributed would be clean. Such measures taken were the
installation of the litter trap and also the development of a rain garden.
The fact that
Singapore is really striving hard to achieve its goal of being a global
hydrohub and vibrant City of Gardens and Water, really heartens me. I believe
that this goal is achievable as long as all of us play a part by not littering.
Regina’s Reflection:
This learning
trail has increased my knowledge about Singapore’s waters. I always took water
for granted but after this programme, I pay more attention to my water usage at
home. I have learnt how water is obtained, mainly from the Four National Taps;
Local Catchment , NEWater , Imported Water and Desalinated Water. Also, I have
also found out tips on how to reduce water usage. For example, we can take
shorter baths or collect water from the washing machine and reuse it to clean
the floor.
I also learnt that
two-thirds of Singapore is now water catchment, which means the rainwater that
fall on two-thirds of the land area is used to supply water for the country.
Since this is the case, we need to do our part and keep our water bodies as
clean as possible. However, it seems to me that pollution has increased
unknowingly. The recreational activities held at the reservoir has been the
main cause of the pollution. For example, people have picnics there and
sometimes conveniently throw their rubbish into the water. As long as we work
together to prevent pollution, I believe we can keep the water bodies clean.
Abler’s Reflection:
From this
learning trail, I have learnt about the measures taken to ensure that a steady
supply of fresh water is available to the public. The ABC Waters programme uses
an effective and natural way of water treatment, namely the Rain Garden.
Besides, there is also the Heritage Deck at Lower Seletar Reservoir that
explains the history of the area. This provides visitors with a chance to know more
about the place and its importance.
The Reservoir is also a place for
entertainment and water sports. This can attract more visitors to the Reservoir
for activities like kayaking, parasailing etc, making it the “Active Waters”. I
hope that with such advanced and new facilities openly available for the public
to enjoy, more people will visit Lower Seletar Reservoir, and see for
themselves the beauty of the place.
Pitchaya’s Reflection:
This trail was
honestly a one-of-a-kind experience for me. I learnt many new and exciting
things about Singapore’s plans on how it managed to developed a diversified and
sustainable water supply system known as the Four National Taps, LSR being one
of the four national taps under Local Catchment Water. As a Thai citizen, this
system does not sound very familiar to me at first as Thailand was unlike
Singapore where it has its own natural supply of water and not really limited.
Not only that, I was also able to
learn more about the ABC programme via the variety of stations which the LSR
has provided. For example, the ABC programme is able to bring the public closer
to nature by transforming the network of drains, canals and reservoirs into a
‘Active’, ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Clean’ location. This is where people can enjoy
recreational activities such as kayaking with their friends or fishing with
their families in a location where it is scenic and clear from pollution. This
programme aims to achieve this module through the ABC concept.
“Singapore’s vision is to transform Singapore
into a city of Gardens and Water”- I completely agree with this statement.
Based on the learning journey, I feel that the LSR was able to help Singapore
achieve her goal as I was able to observe many things that was able to make me
agree with the statement.
Firstly, there was a lush and diverse variety of
flora and faunas found at the Reservoir like the Red-eared Slider (a turtle) at
the Litter Trap and Grey Pansy Butterfly at the Rain Garden. This help to
accomplish the goal of a Garden. On the other hand, Singapore was able to
accomplish its goal of ‘water’ as I was able to see an intricate water
catchment system that was very new to me. Singapore also have a system of
cleaning the water which is also very unique and different back in my hometown.
Last but not least, I think that we can all help
in to make LSR a more attractive place through many ways, like even the easiest
way like not littering in the area in order not to pollute the surroundings or
the water.