"Singapore Water Story": Summary Reader Response (Final)

In the article “Singapore Water Story” from the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) website (2020), PUB mentions how Singapore plans to manage a future increase in water demand. Currently, the total water demand amounts to 430 million gallons per day and is expected to double by 2060. There are three main strategies implemented which are to “collect every drop of water”, “reuse water endlessly” and “desalinate seawater”. Considering Singapore’s water agreement with Malaysia is set to expire in 2061, Singapore plans to have independent water sources through local water catchments, NEWater plants, and desalination plants. By focusing on the development and improvement of these methods, PUB explains that these water sources are estimated to meet up to 85% of the increase in water demand in 2060. As water demand continues to rise concurrently with population and economic growth, a well-planned and implemented water infrastructure ensures a sustainable water supply will be available for future generations.

From the article, Singapore’s efforts in planning to secure an adequate water supply to meet the rising demand is a great effort by the government. However, the challenges that can potentially arise from these methods were not mentioned. Although the current efforts will be able to meet 85% of the future water demand, more should be done so that Singapore has a fully independent water infrastructure.

Firstly, Singapore has been heavily reliant on imported water bought from Malaysia since 1961. This agreement will expire in 2061 and Singapore has to be prepared to look for different sources of water. Naidu (2018), who quoted from Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, stated that Johor’s Linggiu Reservoir is drying up with dangers of “prolonged, dry weather”. To face these uncertainties, Singapore has been focusing on its local water supplies – NEWater, desalination plants and local water catchments. These three national taps may be less cost effective due to the intensive energy required to treat the water, but it allows Singapore to be independent and confident in meeting the rising water demands in the near future.

As mentioned, NEWater and desalination plants uses energy-intensive processes to treat used or sea water and turn it into clean, potable water. This means Singapore will be ever-more reliant on energy consumption to meet their water goals. In an article published by TODAY Singapore (2016), Professor Asit Biswas from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) trade, who spoke to TODAY, commented that “100 percent of the energy used to treat the water comes from outside”. The challenge of securing an adequate water supply comes with the challenges of energy security and climate stabilization. Although Singapore aims to achieve water security for future generations, the government should not overlook any possible energy related issues.

Lastly, efforts from the government alone are not enough to ensure an adequate water supply for future generations. According to Khew (2016), Professor Biswas believed that even though Singapore has achieved success from its water story, they have effectively blinded Singaporeans from realizing that water supplies are drying up. Singapore residents are taking this precious resource for granted and use it without realizing the potential threat of not having enough in the future. Although PUB has set up programmes such as the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme to educate residents on the importance of conserving water, it is not a good enough effort on the government’s part. Singapore’s water prices have been relatively cheap and affordable. Professor Biswas mentioned that “water prices should have been increased a long time ago” (Khew, 2016). By increasing water prices, residents may cut down on water usage. With these methods in place, Singaporeans will realize water conservation is vital apart from having an adequate supply of water.

Although Singapore is confident in meeting the potential increase in water demand, challenges that have been mentioned should be addressed and prioritized equally with setting up water infrastructure. By doing so, Singapore will have fully independent water sources in the future.

References

Khew, C. (2016, March 21). Singapore's water success has H2O expert worried. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/singapores-water-success-has-h2o-expert-worried

Naidu, S. (2018, June 25). Exclusive: Price of water sold to Singapore 'ridiculous'; Malaysia to renegotiate deal, says Mahathir. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mahathir-water-singapore-malaysia-price-ridiculous-10466780

Public Utilities Board. (2020). Singapore Water Story. Public Utilities Board. https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/singaporewaterstory

TODAY. (2016, April 23). The Big Read: Water security, energy use a difficult trade-off. TODAY. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/water-security-energy-use-difficult-trade

 

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