The Working Actively Through Education and Rehabilitation (W.A.T.E.R) Project began in 2007, initiated by SPARK Foundation, in collaboration with Global Environment Centre
(GEC). Over the years, this community-based project has evolved and is currently in phase 4.

Phase 4 of W.A.T.E.R Project is a consolidation of Water Stewardship Agenda I and is restructured based on four new strategies. The project aims to maintain and enhance river water quality and biodiversity as well as to provide alternative water supply to the communities during water cuts in Selangor. By managing the watersheds through nature-based solutions, water resources can be reserved and restored. 

River basins involved:
Sungai Penchala
Sungei Way 
Sungai Selangor

More info on previous phases:
Sungai Penchala River Education Programme 
Kinta River Education Programme (phase 1)
Kinta River Education Programme (phase 2) 
W.A.T.E.R Project: Water Stewardship Agenda I (Phase 3) 

Duration: 2021 - 2023

Funder: SPARK Foundation 

Website: W.A.T.E.R Project

Aim/objective:

The project aims to achieve its goals through four strategies, which are:

Strategy 1: Rehabilitation and awareness on rivers and water source
Goal: To make Sg Way as a model urban river in an industrial zone 

Strategy 2: Alternative water systems
Goal: To support urban poor and rural communities with alternative water supply systems to mitigate water disruptions. 

Strategy 3: Watershed Health Protection
Goal: To protect shared water resources

Strategy 4: Stakeholder Engagement
Goal: To mobilize local communities towards active involvement in river management and watershed protection

Project Progress:

Strategy 1: Rehabilitation and awareness on rivers and water source

• Water quality sampling
  • Conducted baseline water quality sampling for Sg Way. 
  • Three locations of Sg Way are maintained and confirmed for year 2021 water quality and biodiversity sampling.
  • Conducted water quality sampling at Sungai Penchala. Water Quality Index (WQI) improved from Class IV (from baseline sampling conducted in 2020) to Class III.
• Wetland islands
  • Four wetland islands of Sungai Penchala consutructed during the previous phase are in good condition and become breeding sites for fishes. 
• Hydrology study 
  • The study was carried out at four stations at Sungai Penchala Open Classroom

Strategy 2: Alternative water systems

• Community garden
  • Supported and maintained four community gardens near Sungei Way with emphasis on water circularity.
  • Installed rainwater harvesting system at Section 19 RA community garden.
  • Installed water pump at Rantau Panjang community garden (Near Sungai Selangor) to source water supply from natural spring. 

Strategy 3: Watershed Health Protection

• Clay dyke
  • Clay dyke functions to store water naturally for biodiversity improvement and carbon regulation. Under this project, 305m was constructed in 2020 and the maintenance and regular monitoring is progressing well. More info HERE.
• Tree planting site at Raja Musa Forest Reserve
  • The maintenance of existing 1ha of tree planting was carried out on April 2021 while tree census will be carried out on next maintenance exercise to monitor the trees growth.

More info HERE. 

Strategy 4: Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain and sustain existing Sungei Way community centre
  • Added 30 wetland plants for Sungei wetland nursery
  • Maintain and upgrade existing Sungai Penchala Information Centre
  • Maintain and enhance jetty and& lake open classroom, education corner. The corner is now filled with educational materials. 

For any inquiries on the project, please contact outreach@gec.org.my .