ITE trio makes a splash with water-saving innovation that will change our lives -- and showers
When you turn on the shower head, do you find yourself jumping back from the cold water, having to wait a while for the water to heat up?
This is a daily water-wasting habit that most of us don't give a second thought to.
But a group of innovative students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central identified this issue, and engineered a clever solution to reduce this unnecessary water wastage.
Second-year Nitec in Mechanical Technology students Brennan Tan, Mikken Ng, and Mervin Kang designed and created a working water-saving device dubbed the Smart Water Recirculation System for Efficient Heater Operations.
Group leader Brennan, 24, said: "Housing Board flats have so many people, so every millilitre counts."
He told Stomp that mechanical technology is easily taken for granted, as its use has become second nature in everyone's daily lives.
"From day-to-day machines like water heaters to air conditioners-mechanical technology is part of everything, everywhere," he said.
Using their knowledge and skills, the team worked together to build the working prototype.
The prototype works by recirculating cold water back into the water heater until it reaches a pre-set temperature, rather than allowing it to flow out of the shower head. Once the water hits the desired temperature, a check valve opens, releasing the hot water.
The team's hard work paid off when their project won the Lee Kuan Yew Technology Award.
Brennan recalled their reaction upon getting to know they had won: "We didn't expect to make it through the first round of judging. When we made it through all three rounds, and they told us we had won, we were really shocked because we didn't expect ourselves to make it that far."
The team's proudest moment was when their prototype finally came to life.
"Getting the prototype to work was honestly one of our proudest moments," he said. "And, of course, the award."
Following their victory, Brennan was taken aback by the sportsmanship of fellow competitors.
"Other contestants and awardees came over to our group and were curious about our project. They were genuinely impressed, which made us really proud."
He has future hopes for the team's innovation: "If this project reaches the right people, and they want to help us mass-produce it, it would be a big dream for me. I want to be able to give back to the community, whether it be through service or educating people about water conservation."
Brennan will graduate from ITE College Central in January 2026, and aims to pursue a diploma in business and engineering at a local polytechnic.
