Rainwater Harvesting in a Primary School from Melaka (Malaysia): System Characteristics and Water Conservation Awareness Level

Climate change, rising population, and high water usage are few of the factors related with water shortages in Malaysia. Schools are one of the environments where water conservation can be initiated. Thus, this study aims to construct a rainwater harvesting system in school building along with to assess the water conservation awareness (knowledge, attitude, and practices) level among primary school children. Rainwater harvesting system consists of two polyethylene storage tanks, plastic gutters and pipes, utilize building roofs along with electric pump was installed in school toilet building. The rainwater harvesting system installation in school building has resulted in water usage reduction between 91 and 215 m3 in year 2020 compared in year 2019. Besides water usage reduction, the installed rainwater harvesting system has also resulted in water bill reduction along with other environmental and social benefits. In terms of awareness level, a total of 33.8% of good knowledge, 43% of good attitude, and 74.8% of good practice were reported on water conservation initiative among primary school children. This rainwater harvesting system is seen as a low cost innovation which can be utilized as a way to restore water in any school at both local and global contexts.