Not necessary to conduct water rationing exercise for homes: Masagos

Outreach programmes on water conservation are already being conducted in schools and at the community level, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli says.
Channel NewsAsia 9 May 16;

SINGAPORE: It is not necessary to conduct water rationing exercises for households at the moment, as there are already other outreach programmes to educate the public on water conservation, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said in Parliament on Monday (May 9).

Outreach programmes are already being conducted in schools and at the community level, said Mr Masagos, in response to a question from MP Chong Kee Hiong (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC).

“While we have planned ahead to ensure that our water supply is adequate, we need to enhance our resilience against the uncertainties brought about by climate change. Encouraging prudent use of water is an important thrust in this effort,” he said.

For example, a smart homes trial in Yuhua will provide households with hourly water consumption data and water saving tips, and alert them on anomalies in water usage.

As for the wider community, PUB has been carrying out extensive outreach and educational programmes, Mr Masagos said. Water efficiency labelling and minimum standards have also been mandated to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions and adopt water-efficient fittings and appliances.

Water conservation is included in the social studies syllabus for Primary 3 students, while national water agency PUB collaborated with five schools to conduct water rationing exercises this year, to reinforce the value of water and inculcate the habit of saving water.

The responsibility of water conservation does not fall on homes alone, and businesses must also play their part, he said. Large water users in the non-domestic sector now have to submit their Water Efficiency Management Plan, and PUB will study the data collected to explore the potential for water efficiency benchmarks and good practice guidelines for the different sectors, he said.

“All of us have to do our part to conserve water. This way, our water resources can last longer. Every effort counts, and collectively, the amount of water saved will be significant.”

- CNA/cy