Lower Seletar Reservoir Learning Trail AHS2J: Our Personal Reflections

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.