PETALING JAYA: To shore up efforts at river rehabilitation and education, Guinness Anchor Bhd Foundation (GAB) and Global Environment Centre (GEC) launched the River Care Education Centre in Desa Mentari yesterday.

Touted as the first of its kind in Malaysia, the RM40,000 River Care Education Centre was opened by GAB Foundation chairman Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye and Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibrahim.

Housed in a cabin by Sungai Way, near Jalan PJS 6/5G, the centre is part of the Working Actively Through Education and Rehabilitation (Water) programme established in 2007 to clean and rehabilitate the river that flows through Desa Mentari, Kampung Lindungan and Desa Ria.

The public can now assume the roles of river rangers by taking up the centre's offer of water-quality test training sessions.

GEC river care programme coordinator Dr K. Kalithasan said all interested individuals needed to do was write in.

"We have a laboratory equipped with tools like water-testing kits, which help to determine the water's oxygen level, clarity and alkaline content.

"Water quality checks can also be made through physical analysis, chemical testing and bio monitoring at the lab.

"We are open on Saturdays and Sundays to train River Rangers for the continuous monitoring of the water quality of Sungai Way," he said.

The dedicated centre is stocked with 350 books and reference materials on water rehabilitation and conservation.

They are available for loan to those interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Most of the books are supplied by DOE, Petaling Jaya City Council and the Selangor Water Management Board.

Those conducting research on river rehabilitation are welcome to use the resource centre.

Sungai Way was rated Grade 5 before its rehabilitation was initiated in 2007 by Water, said Kalithasan.

A Grade 5 rating means extremely polluted, with zero signs of aquatic life.

Rehabilitation efforts included the installation of garbage and grease traps at several locations along the 4km long and 0.3m deep river.

The programme's success became clear a month ago, when a test showed that the water quality was now Grade 3, which means mildly polluted with at least 10 species living in it.

"Today, there are various aquatic life forms like snakeheads, catfish, gouramis and eels. There is also the presence of various types of dragonflies, such as the damselfly and stonefly.

"It is our aim to make it Grade 2A -- water that is clean enough for people to bathe in.

"We want to change people's perception of Sungai Way as a monsoon drain," he said.

Saw described the centre as a place for the Sungai Way community and visitors to track the progress of the river rehabilitation project.

He also encouraged residents living nearby to make full use of the centre, in the hope that it would cultivate a stronger relationship between the people and the river.

"As a member of the business community along the river, we recognise the importance of protecting and conserve the water resource in our backyard.

"We hope to engage the business community upstream (in efforts) to ensure a cleaner river and a healthier living environment for the residents of Desa Mentari, Kampung Lindungan and Desa Ria.

"We hope residents and business operators will cooperate and take the opportunity to learn the little things they can do to keep Sungai Way clean and healthy," added Saw.