SEKOLAH Menengah Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya was buzzing with activities during the 2010 River Carnival.

The carnival was aimed at educating and engaging the public on how to work together to clean up urban rivers in a fun and exciting way.

People young and old came as early as 8am to the carnival, where some of the fun-filled activities relating to river rehabilitation and conservation were held.

Exhibition booths by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Petaling Jaya City Council, Department of Environment and Selangor Water Management Board were also set up.

All together now: Some of the residents participating in the river clean-up.

This is the second year the carnival was being hosted by the Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) Foundation.

It was launched by Drainage and Irrigation department director of river basin & coastal zone management Datuk Ong Siew Heng.

The carnival is an integral part of the foundation’s larger River Rehabilitation Programme.

It is under the W.A.T.E.R project initiative (Working Actively Through Education & Rehabilitation) in collaboration with Global Environment Centre.

The three-year programme was aimed at improving the water quality of urban rivers, starting with Sungei Way.

Sungai Way is a tributary of Sungai Pencala, which flows into Sungai Klang.

The water quality has been classified as Class IV and its main sources of pollution were solid and liquid waste from residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Ong said rivers were not supposed to be a dumping ground but to be enjoyed by the community.

Who is the lucky one: A lucky draw session at the carnival.

“The river rehabilitation project is impressive as it involves government organisations, community and corporations.

“All of us live near river basin, so what we do has an effect on the river,” he said.

GAB Foundation chairman Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye said about 95% water used came from rivers.

However, he said some people continued to pollute rivers with household and industrial rubbish.

“Rivers are not supposed to be used as a place for waste disposal. It has to appreciated for its beauty and surroundings, which contributes to recreation and community life.

The foundation has channelled about RM550,000 into the River Rehabilitation Programme for training sessions on recycling and composting waste.

Clean-up operations, river walks, pollution- mapping and river bank beautification have also been conducted along the allocated 2.5km Sungai Way stretch.

The funds were also used to set up and furnish a river cabin which acts as a one-stop resource centre for the public to learn more about water and rivers.

For more information visit www.waterproject.net.my