Dear Friends,
OVERVIEW
The week was slow for Waterways. Two days we were blocked for a refresher First Aid Course for 18 facilitators and staff. It was also lucky for us as the two days had heavy rain. From Wednesday onwards, safety boats and programmes resumed. We did 2 VIA programmes and 3 CSR programmes including the usual members patrol at our three locations.
Concerns raised this week were the sighting of a 1-metre alligator gar (dead) at the shoreline of Dragon Boat Nursery Beach area and the presence of leechers. At least two were found at the beach area in front of WWS premises. It’s not an encouraging sign and does raise some safety and health concerns for water users. Apply snail eggs were also sighted upstream Singapore River (not seen for a long time. They are back!).
Lots of litter is still found around in our waters and parks. As we experience unprecedented water stress, and exceptional change in climate resulting even with the Sahara Desert having exceptional flooding, the world must do more to fight climate change. Saturday boat patrol picked up two huge trash bags of litter just from upstream of Kallang River. In total we picked up 366 kg of litter this week and even Taylor Swift contributed to this collection for that particular patrol.
We spotted a person walking his dog unleashed in the park (regularly every weekend.) Members did approach him once on Saturday morning to remind him that unleashing the dog in the park is illegal, but he total disregarded our sharing. More assertive action is needed from the relevant government agency to discourage such behaviour and total disrespect of our law, especially as he appears to be a non-singaporean.
Summary of activities conducted over this week
In summary, the following activities were done for this week:
- We conducted 3 CSR and 2 VIA programmes which 59 participants and 51 participants respectively attended, and together they collected 226 kg of litter.
- A total of 21 members were involved in CSR/VIA programmes and talks; another 72 members turned up for patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training.
- The total trash collected by patrol groups from members was 140 kg.
- Boat Patrol. A total of 5 Boat patrols were carried out; 3 at Marina and 2 at Punggol.
- Bike Patrol. A total of 4 Bike patrols was carried out; 2 at Marina, 1 at Punggol and 1 at Jurong Lake.
- Pedal Boat Patrol. 1 Pedal Boat patrol at Marina.
ACTIVITIES AND REPORT
1. Educational Programmes
2. Volunteer Patrols & Activities
a. Marina
b. Punggol
c. Lakeside
d. Pang Sua Pond
| No patrol |
e. Yishun Pond Patrol
| No patrol |