Dry weather, but no cause for concern

Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 10 Feb 09;

LAST month may have been the country's driest January in 10 years, and February is traditionally a dry month.

But Singapore has enough resources to meet the water needs of the public, Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday.

Two of Singapore's diversified water sources - desalinated water and NEWater, a high-grade reclaimed water - are not affected by fluctuations in rainfall, he explained.

'While our reservoirs are not as full as they usually are, I would like to assure Singaporeans that we have adequate water to meet our needs.'

But he said the vagaries of weather may still affect Singapore. As such, it was still vital that people conserve water and use it efficiently: 'The current dry season is an opportune time to remind ourselves of the significance of this, and to play our part.'

Several MPs, including Mr Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade GRC), asked about climate change and how water and energy efficiency standards are being improved in households and businesses.

Dr Yaacob said programmes aimed at getting the public involved in and aware of water conservation practices, and helping households save on their water bills, have resulted in a reduction of domestic water consumption per person per day from 157 litres in 2007 to 156 litres last year.

This figure is on track to meet a planned target of 155 litres by 2012.

More will also be done to help needy families save water and cut costs.

From April, the PUB, working with the People's Association and the five Community Development Councils, will spend $600,000 to install water-saving devices such as thimbles and cistern water-saving bags in the homes of low-income families that have higher than average water consumption.

This can also help educate residents about water conservation practices.

About 15,000 such families can expect to save as much as 5 per cent on their water consumption with the new measures.

The PUB will also increase the level of co-funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Water Efficiency Fund from 50 per cent to 80 per cent of the qualifying cost of the projects, Dr Yaacob said.

Commenting on the measure, he said the aim was to help SMEs reduce water costs in these economically lean times.

He also spoke about energy efficiency, his ministry's key strategy to mitigate climate change.

The Government was taking the lead by conducting energy audits on government buildings with more than 15,000 sq m of air-conditioned floor area. This is about the size of four football fields.

The audits will be completed by March next year. Twelve of 48 buildings have already had energy audits and implemented changes that have saved them $3 million a year.

He also spoke about energy savings in households. Average monthly household electricity consumption fell by about 4 per cent last year compared with the previous year.

The National Environment Agency will also implement standards to remove from the market models of household air-conditioners and refrigerators that are the least energy-efficient by 2011.

Beyond that, a similar standard could be imposed for lighting.