Reply from PUB, Straits Times Forum 22 Apr 08;
PUB, the national water agency, thanks Mr Syu Ying Kwok for his letter last Friday, 'After Marina Barrage, Tekong-Ubin reservoir'. The waterway between Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong and the mainland is a major shipping lane and there are currently no plans to convert it into a reservoir.
Mr Syu can be assured that PUB has put in place a long-term strategy to ensure a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore. This is known as the Four National Taps, which are water from local catchment, imported water, Newater and desalinated water.
While the Marina Barrage will create a new source of water supply, two other new freshwater lakes are also being developed by building dams across Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon. By next year, these three new reservoirs will increase the water catchment area from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land area. Our third and fourth National Taps, Newater and desalinated water, are also important pillars of Singapore's water supply. Demand for Newater has grown strongly and the fifth and largest plant is now being built at Changi. Newater will be able to meet 30 per cent of Singapore's total water needs by 2011.
But ensuring a sufficient water supply is only half the battle. To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporeans to play their part to conserve water, keep the environment clean to ensure clean water in our reservoirs, and build a relationship with water by enjoying our water resources. We can then have enough water for all uses.
Tan Yok Gin
Director, Policy and Planning
PUB
Comments on the Straits Times Forum in response to PUB's reply
#3 If Malaysia cuts off the supply, what is the chances we can survive?
Don't blame Malaysia. There is no reason why Malaysia wants to do that unless it faces severe water shortage itself. If it does, we can only blame ourselves for being unprepared. Fortunately water recovery technologies have improved by leaps and bound in the last 10 years. But all water processing requires energy. Energy is the key.
It is possible to recover rainwater even at local run-offs. A bungalow can trap all its water within its compound. Even blocks of HDB flats can recover water using a pond system. But these have not been seriously investigated in Singapore. Our polytechnic students now doing water processing and treatment courses can design projects to study them.
Posted by: SingaporePatient at Tue Apr 22 13:50:09 SGT 2008
If Malaysia cuts off the supply, what is the chances we can survive? Are we able to develop some recycle water usage with all household and industry? ie, save the used bath and washing water and go for simple filtering to remove odour than channel and contain for flashing. Thus allow each household to save on water bills.
Posted by: cjcjcjcj at Tue Apr 22 11:01:09 SGT 2008
Just exactly how long is "long term"? Also, with population growing with so many foreigners around, we should be looking at whether some of our critical resources, like water, can support this growth. Maybe the govt can have a higher water tax for non-singaporeans coz they are using up resources that belongs to Singaporeans.
Posted by: creativesti03 at Tue Apr 22 08:07:22 SGT 2008
