BEST SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (SINGAPORE)

Just forty years ago, Singapore had inadequate water supplies, with no lakes or aquifers. The only choice was to import water from water-rich Malaysia. However, in its race towards economic development the issue of water shortage and pollution had to be addressed. As a result, Singapore has today become one of the leading examples in the world of a government who has transformed its availability of water resources through innovative policies and technologies. The main policies and technologies that have altered Singapore’s available water resources include: reclaiming water, desalinating water, implementing awareness programs, and assigning appropriate prices to water. Singapore’s water reclamation program involves using micro filtration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection membrane technologies to recycle water. This NEWater program has created a high grade quality of water that exceeds the standards as set by the World Health Organization, and has resulted in Singapore recycling 100 per cent of its waste water. NEWater already meets some 30 per cent of Singapore’s water needs. In terms of desalination, in 2005 Singapore opened its first desalination plant, which has a capacity of producing some 140,000 cubic meters of water per day. The plant is one of the biggest in the world and can meet about 10 percent of Singapore’s water needs. The plant also produces bottled water called Desal H20. In 2011, Singapore launched a bid for a second desalination plant to produce 318,500 cubic meters per day. Construction will begin by 2013. The government has also identified five more sites for future plants with a capacity up to one million cubic meters per day by 2060. The government has implemented extensive campaigns to urge people to conserve water and reduce consumption from 155 liters per day in 2009 to 140 liters per day in 2030. The heavy use of media and awareness campaigns have resulted in Singapore having one of the lowest levels of water losses in the world. The pricing of water in the form of tariffs has also been an effective water management tool for Singapore. By allowing for cost recovery, including capital costs, water tariffs are set at an appropriate price to allow for water conservation. For example, a set water tax of 30 per cent increases to 45 per cent if domestic consumption exceeds 40 cubic meters per month plus the connection cost. A sewerage tariff is also charged separately. Despite these taxes, residential tariffs are still lower than many European countries but efficiency and conservation are much higher. Singapore has, therefore, been a prime example of securing its water supplies to secure its economic viability and growth. More nations should follow Singapore’s lead and recognize the importance of water in securing future growth and sustainability.