Singapore dry spell: Enough water, but conservation still vital

Grace Chua, Straits Times 9 Mar 10;

DESPITE the searing heat and lack of rain, Singapore's reservoirs are not running low - thanks to Newater and desalinated water.

But that is only part of the picture as the country confronts its driest period in 140 years. The other: People need to not waste water.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim made this call yesterday when he assured the House that Singapore has enough alternative sources of water.

The current dry spell had worried Senior Parliamentary Secretary Masagos Zulkifli (Tampines GRC), who asked whether Singapore had enough water.

Dr Yaacob, in his reply, also disclosed that national water agency PUB is taking steps to further reduce people's water consumption. It is doing a study on people's attitudes towards the use of water.

A survey done as part of the study indicated that most people held water conservation as important.

In fact, the per capita domestic water use has been declining, from 165 litres per day in 2003 to 155 last year.

The target is 140 in 2030, which the study will help achieve. When completed next year, its findings will be used to come up with new ways for people to further conserve water, said the minister.

Meanwhile, the PUB is building two new reservoirs to further boost water supply. They are derived from Singapore's last two natural rivers, Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon.

Dammed at a cost of $156 million last year, these bodies of water will be Singapore's 16th and 17th reservoirs.

When ready next year, they will supply 5 per cent of the national water demand.

This is on top of the supply from the Changi Newater plant, which will be completed later this year. Newater in total will then meet 30 per cent of Singapore's water needs.

Using 8 litres less water a day, by 2020
Esther Ng, Today Online 9 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE - The recent hot weather got some parliamentarians wondering if Singapore's water supply was sufficient and if we had the resources to cope with climate change.

Noting that the current hot and dry spell has Singaporeans using more water, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim however assured that "we have managed to keep our reservoir levels high by tapping our NEWater and desalination capacity".

Still, he urged Singaporeans to use water wisely.

One parliamentarian, Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) also highlighted the need for innovative water-saving solutions.

"We see maids spray-hosing our cars and gardens - we should find alternative ways to encourage re-use of rice water and fish water for the plants at home," said Madam Ho, adding that she has gone "water-less" by using paper wipes to clean the floors of her house.

"It cost only about 6 cents per sheet and one sheet can do about 500 square feet," she said, adding, "this alternative cleaning has been lighter on my water bill".

Last year, Singaporean households used 155 litres a day, compared to 165 litres a day in 2003.

With new targets for water consumption - 147 litres per day by 2020, and 140 litres a day by 2030 - Singaporeans will have to find new ways of minimising water consumption.

To help non-domestic consumers such as industries, hotels and schools to better manage water use, PUB will work with them to prepare Water Efficiency Management Plans.

These will include an analysis of current water use, identify potential water saving measures and an implementation timeline.

They could also tap on the existing Water Efficiency Fund to implement these measures if they meet the funding criteria. To date, 20 companies have submitted their plans with water saving targets of up to 10 per cent, said Dr Yaacob. Esther Ng