Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia 26 Nov 08;
SINGAPORE: Using more water-efficient devices has helped 37 needy families cut their bills by at least five per cent, according to a PUB trial in July this year.
That will now be expanded into a S$600,000 nation-wide programme starting in April 2008.
Low income households which are using water at above average rates will be picked out. Volunteers will then go to their homes and install water-saving devices for free.
Small and medium enterprises will also get more money to fund items or projects that will cut their monthly water bills by about 10 per cent.
PUB has increased co-funding to 80 per cent from the previous 50 per cent. The national water agency will work with SPRING Singapore to promote the use of the fund.
The Environment and Water Resources Minister, Yaacob Ibrahim, said: "In light of the expected slowdown in the economy, the measures taken to reduce water consumption in your buildings and processes would be even more impactful as they translate to cost savings in the long term and contribute to resource efficiency and cost competitiveness."
The money comes from the Water Efficiency Fund, which was launched in 2007. So far, it has already supported four projects. The projects are undertaken by Canberra CCC, ExxonMobil, SCORE and SATS Catering.
Besides funding, PUB has also rolled out a new campaign called the "10% Challenge" for companies to reduce their monthly use of water.
One example is the Regent Hotel, which cut water usage by 16 per cent, which is enough water for 33,000 showers in a year.
PUB will use the Internet, a guidebook and courses for building managers, to reach out to hotels first. PUB said businesses like hotels accounts for half the total water consumption in Singapore.
It will then take the challenge to schools, and commercial and government buildings. - CNA/vm
