By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my
Teh explaining some of the water purification processes.
When there is water, there is life. Supporting this adage, some of the earliest civilisations started alongside rivers or the beach. Our technological advancements has allowed us to build our homes far away from these places, but regardless, humans usually have a yearning to be near water.
For some, it is the cathartic sound of waves crashing perpetually on the beaten shores. Others find peaceful refuge within a development that is surrounded by the life giving essence of water. In this sense, each individual has their own interpretation of a water-based development.
For JKG Land Bhd managing director Datuk Teh Kean Ming, a development can only be called water-based if it displays an intimate relationship with the element in question. “Water must form a part of you, the same way you must be part of the water,” said Teh, who himself is equally passionate about water.
Citing his previous experience with a canal development project, Teh explained a few criteria that need to be met. For starters, he mentioned that the body of water in the canal needs to be at a certain depth and flowing at a certain speed.
Responsible developers will check the bacterial level in the water and issue warnings to the residents accordingly.
If the canal is too shallow and narrow, the boat used for cruising the water channel will churn up mud and silts from the bottom, giving the water a dirty appearance. “Ideally, the height of the land above the canal is not too high up, as it will give the canal a drain-like appearance,” said Teh.
Emphasizing the importance of clean water, Teh added that the water should be crystal clear, and residents are able to interact with it. A nature lover, he believed that the creation of an ideal water-based development revolves around nature, not against it.
When it comes to purifying the water, Teh’s technique involves channelling river water into a wetlands system, which acts as a natural filter. Harmful materials from the river water will then settle down in the wetlands, and is further reconstituted by the plant life inherent there.
Wetlands play a number of vital functions, such as water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and the stabilisation of shorelines.
Citing an enclosed water-based project called The Light Waterfront in Penang, Teh said a rudimentary filtration system can be deployed to purify the water. “When drawing water from the ocean, we will take from the middle level,” he said, adding that the surface water is filled with oil while the bottom is muddy.
When it concerns a large body of water, Teh suggested the best technique to do so has always been to use natural processes. If the usage of many mechanical equipments are needed to purify the water, then it is not sustainable. “We are not here to create an aquarium,” he said.
Regarding the circulation of water, Teh maintained that the inflow of water into the development must match with the outflow.
Dead corners in a body of water contribute to the stagnation, which reduces the quality of water. He explained that the filtration depends on the skill of the developer to create an artificial form of circulation to recycle the stagnant water.
The prospect of building a water-based development has always been challenging, but worth the trouble. Teh finds it rewarding, especially with the presence of water providing a scenic view and calming effect.
It is likely that many others will agree to that statement too. For those who seek the embrace of the sea or the tranquil flow of the rivers, a waterfront development is just the answer to that desire. The upcoming StarProperty.my Awards 2019 will be featuring various award-winning developments from prominent developers, and the hunt is on for the best waterfront development.
To register for the StarProperty.my Awards 2019, go to http://bit.ly/2OtQ132 or stay tuned on our website to learn more about the updates on the awards.
