Johor reservoir that serves as a major supply of water to Singapore still not half full: Amy Khor

Alexis Ong Straits Times 2 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE - Johor's Linggiu Reservoir, a major source of water for Singapore, is still not half full and the authorities are monitoring the situation, said Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor, on Wednesday.

On Jan 24, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said the reservoir's water level reached 49 per cent, from a historic low of 43 per cent in November 2015.

At the beginning of 2015, the water level was was about 80 per cent but dry weather has caused a steady depletion of water in Linggiu Reservoir over the last year.

Singapore relies on the reservoir for up to 60 per cent of its water needs.

Dr Khor said on Wednesday that the Government is encouraging people to be more aware of water wastage and switch to appliances and products, such as washing machines, that can save more water.

She was speaking at a water rationing exercise held at Bukit View Secondary School, organised by national water agency PUB to tie in with World Water Day on March 22.

For an hour on Wednesday morning, water supply to water coolers and toilets was cut off, and students washed their hands with water collected earlier in pails.

"Today, everybody can readily get clean water with the turn of the tap," Dr Khor said. "But we've also been witnessing really extreme weather patterns, which may affect this ready supply of water."

So, having water rationing exercises can help students to learn through personal experience what it means to have limited water resources and appreciate the value of water, she added.

According to PUB, water usage here has dipped from 151 litres per person per day in 2013 to 150 litres in 2014.

The agency aims to bring this down to 147 litres per person per day in 2020, and 140 litres in 2030.

Bukit View Secondary School is the first of five schools to conduct water rationing exercises in March. The other schools are Peirce Secondary School, Woodgrove Secondary School, Bendemeer Primary School and Elias Park Primary School.