 |
| Not sure where Pitchaya and Min Xian went... |
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.
 |
| Min Xian and Pitchaya |
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.
 |
| The beautiful scenery :)) |
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:
 |
| Proceeding our next station |
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:
 |
| ABC learning Trail Booklet |
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:
 |
| Joanna's backpack containing all our valuables, waterbottles etc. |
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:
 |
| Taking a picture at the heritage deck |
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.
 |
| Regina and Abler on the bus |
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, para sailing 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.
 |
| Regina and Tze Sin |
Tze Sin's Reflection:
In this
learning trail at lower seletar reservoir, I have learnt more about Singapore's
water sources and about the water history.
I think it's amazing how such a
small country with hardly any natural resources can have so much fresh water
for the country to use. Especially on how the country uses NEWater to recycle
water. This not only cuts down our expenses on imported water and desalination,
but also allows us to use water to it's fullest.
Also, I learnt that it is
important to know about water condition as we can't go around drinking any
water we drink. Keeping our water clean is also of utmost importance as we
should also put in our effort in keeping Singapore's waters clean. Overall, I
felt that this learning trail has been very fruitful in knowledge and I
wouldn't mind going through the trail again.
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.
 |
| Our failed pictures(top) |
.JPG)
