Latest news with #WorldWaterDay
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google announces bold investment to restore critical natural resource: 'A lot remains to be done'
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways In recognition of World Water Day on March 22, Google released its 2025 Water Stewardship Project Portfolio and announced new initiatives and collaborations to help safeguard the world's water supply and support global agriculture. The United Nations' World Water Day, held every March 22, raises awareness concerning global freshwater availability. Google's plans add to the goal it set in 2021 to replenish 120% of the water used in its offices and to cool data centers by 2030. Some of the ways Google said it would do that included "working with the Colorado River Indian Tribes project" to decrease the water taken from Lake Mead, "installing rainwater harvesting systems" in Dublin, Ireland, and "investing in efforts to remove water-thirsty invasive species" in Los Angeles. In the project portfolio, Google reported that since then, it has joined 112 initiatives it predicts could reproduce 8 billion gallons of water per year by 2030. According to ESG Dive, "Google said in the March 22 release that the projects collectively replenished around 4.5 billion gallons of water in 2024 alone." The second part of this announcement concerned new partnerships to assist agricultural areas. The four initiatives in France, Taiwan, California, and Chile all seek to create new, efficient ways of collecting or supplying water for irrigation. This will support the farming industry and the people whose livelihoods depend on it, ultimately keeping the food supply steady and lowering prices for average consumers. The USDA Economic Research Service explains that "irrigated crop production helps to support local rural economies in many areas of the U.S., and contributes to the Nation's livestock, food processing, transportation, and energy sectors." This action on Google's part is indicative of a growing number of brands that seek to lower the impact they have on the environment by launching eco-friendly initiatives. Companies like Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Rolex have all gotten on board by introducing innovative ways to help. Kate Brandt, Google's chief sustainability officer, ended on a pensive note in her 2021 blog post outlining Google's plans. "When it comes to protecting the future of our planet and the resources we rely on, there's a lot to be done," Brandt said. "We'll keep looking for ways we can use our products and expertise to be good water stewards and partner with others to address these critical and shared water challenges." Hopefully, Google is headed in that direction. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Penang targets cut in daily water use to 250 litres per person amid climate-driven supply concerns
GEORGE TOWN, May 3 — Penang is targeting a reduction in domestic water consumption to 250 litres per capita per day (LPCD) this year, an 11-litre decrease from the 261 litres recorded last year. Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said that while the target may appear modest, it could yield significant long-term benefits in terms of water supply sufficiency and security. 'If all 1.8 million Penang residents reduce their household water use by 11 LPCD, the cumulative savings could reach 19.8 million litres per day (MLD) this year,' he said during the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam today. The event was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and attended by Water Watch Penang president, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng. Pathmanathan added that the projected domestic savings are expected to contribute to an estimated 2.3 percent reduction in Penang's overall water consumption, from 870 MLD last year to approximately 850 MLD this year. Saying domestic water use accounted for approximately 54 percent of total water consumption last year, he encouraged Penangites to use water more efficiently to help stabilise supply and reduce service disruptions in end-of-line distribution areas and highland zones in Seberang Perai Selatan and the Barat Daya District. Meanwhile, Pathmanathan noted that climate change has also impacted operations, with the effective capacities of the Teluk Bahang and Air Itam dams decreasing by 13.1 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively, due to low rainfall since January. He explained that although both dams are designed to be replenished by rainwater within their catchment areas, the significant reduction in rainfall, coupled with prolonged El Niño conditions, has hampered their recovery in recent years. In contrast, he said the Expanded Mengkuang Dam was specifically designed to be replenished primarily through water pumped from Sungai Kulim. 'We are currently implementing projects worth over RM1 billion under the Water Contingency Plan 2030 to ensure sufficient capacity for Penang by 2030. 'We therefore urge domestic users to conserve water to help reduce the state's water supply risks up to 2030, ensuring fair and equitable distribution while supporting the Penang2030 vision,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
New raw water management board with ‘bite' for Penang
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow officiating the state-level World Water Day event at the Air Itam dam today. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Penang government will table a water-related bill to strengthen the management of its raw water resources, says chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said the bill, which will be tabled at the state assembly meeting later this month, will pave the way for the establishment of a dedicated raw water management board with enforcement powers. The board will also have the authority to issue permits and licences, approve extractions, and prosecute violations, among others. 'Currently, we have the water regulatory board parked under the state secretary's office which is responsible for raw water issues. 'The time has come for Penang to enact a law and set up a raw water management board that functions to serve as the main authority on raw water source issues,' he told reporters after officiating the state-level World Water Day event at the Air Itam dam today. Chow said that with better oversight, the state hopes to cut the average daily water consumption from 308 litres per person to the national benchmark of 250 litres. 'Even in Singapore, they use 150 litres. That means we are using twice as much water compared with Singapore,' he said. Chow said other states already have water management boards in place, so Penang is catching up with proper legal backing. For example, Luas, or the Selangor Water Management Authority, was established following a Cabinet directive in 1997 and formalised by the Selangor Water Management Board Enactment 1999.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang to table raw water management bill this month
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will table a bill on raw water resource management at the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled for this month, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said the bill will form the foundation for a new water management enactment aimed at strengthening governance and regulatory control over raw water resources in the state. He said under the enactment, a board will be established and granted full authority, including enforcement powers, issuing licences and permits, and approving applications related to water abstraction activities according to set conditions. 'Currently, the Penang Water Regulatory Division (BKSA) only performs limited functions related to raw water management and does not have enforcement or prosecutorial powers. 'Therefore, we believe it is time for Penang to have a dedicated enactment for raw water management. The board will take over BKSA's responsibilities and be granted legal authority to act against any violations under the proposed enactment,' he told reporters after officiating at the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam here today. Chow said the establishment of the board is expected to ensure a more sustainable, efficient and legally grounded raw water management system for the future of Penang. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari had earlier announced that the Penang state executive council had, in principle, approved the proposal to upgrade BKSA to the Penang Water Resources Board on Sept 25, 2024. On a related matter, Chow said the state government is still awaiting a letter from the Perak government to initiate negotiations on the Perak-Penang Water Project. He said the state also noted that a joint venture company between the Perak State Development Corporation and GAMUDA has been formed to implement the project on the Perak side. 'We are now just waiting to begin negotiations (with Perak) on the tariff, volume of water to be channelled to Penang, terms, duration of the concession, and so on. That (letter) is what we are waiting for to enable both states to begin discussions,' he said. On March 14, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said planning for the project to channel raw water from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam - partly to support the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park and supply treated water to Penang - is now in its final stages.
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang targets tighter raw water control with new law this month as project talks with Perak await green light
GEORGE TOWN, May 3 — The Penang government will table a bill on raw water resource management at the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled for this month, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said the bill will form the foundation for a new water management enactment aimed at strengthening governance and regulatory control over raw water resources in the state. He said under the enactment, a board will be established and granted full authority, including enforcement powers, issuing licences and permits, and approving applications related to water abstraction activities according to set conditions. 'Currently, the Penang Water Regulatory Division (BKSA) only performs limited functions related to raw water management and does not have enforcement or prosecutorial powers. 'Therefore, we believe it is time for Penang to have a dedicated enactment for raw water management. The board will take over BKSA's responsibilities and be granted legal authority to act against any violations under the proposed enactment,' he told reporters after officiating at the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam here today. Chow said the establishment of the board is expected to ensure a more sustainable, efficient and legally grounded raw water management system for the future of Penang. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari had earlier announced that the Penang state executive council had, in principle, approved the proposal to upgrade BKSA to the Penang Water Resources Board on Sept 25, 2024. On a related matter, Chow said the state government is still awaiting a letter from the Perak government to initiate negotiations on the Perak-Penang Water Project. He said the state also noted that a joint venture company between the Perak State Development Corporation and GAMUDA has been formed to implement the project on the Perak side. 'We are now just waiting to begin negotiations (with Perak) on the tariff, volume of water to be channelled to Penang, terms, duration of the concession, and so on. That (letter) is what we are waiting for to enable both states to begin discussions,' he said. On March 14, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said planning for the project to channel raw water from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam - partly to support the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park and supply treated water to Penang - is now in its final stages. — Bernama
