Assignment 2

Summary:

“Singapore Water Story” (2020) from the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) websites, PUB reports that there is a huge demand of water supply in Singapore. PUB explained that there were 430 million gallons a day, and by 2060, water demand in Singapore could almost double. Hence, water infrastructure like desalination, NEWater plants and Imported Water plan has planned out to meet the demands. Firstly, Imported Water where Singapore has two agreements with Malaysia which expires in 2011 and 2061. It allows Singapore to draw up to 250 mgd from Johor River. To add on, Singapore have come out with three strategies: “Collect every drop of water, reuse water endlessly and desalinate seawater”. These are the 3 Recycle cycles (3R), which is affordable and efficient. Also, focusing on local catchment and NEWater, the pillar of Singapore’s water sustainability and Desalinated Water, where two more desalination plants will be ready in 2020 which supports the demand of water supply. In conclusion, 85% of the future demands will be met. Also, Singapore can be and independent country to supply water to Singaporeans.

 

Summary Reader Response:

In the article, “Singapore Water Story (2020) that was adapted from the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) websites, PUB reports that there is a demand for water continues to increase in tandem with population and economic growth. Which PUB add on that Singapore’s total water demand could almost double in coming future. With that, PUB have come out with plans like water infrastructure like desalination, NEWater plants and Imported Water plan. Also, in year 2006, PUB has launched the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme. In which, with this programme engaging in the community, enables Singaporeans to be aware and the needs of conserving of water resources and the demand needed in future. Hence, based on the plan and the approaches from PUB, it seems clear that Singapore will meet and overcome the demand of water by 2060.

 

Firstly, Imported Water where Singapore has two agreements with Malaysia which expires in 2011 and 2061. It allows Singapore to draw up to 250 mgd from Johor River. According to LCNA: Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore, Singapore is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. It is heavily dependent on rainfall due to the lack of natural water resources. To add on, according by Sumisha Naidu from Channel News Asia (CNA) quoted from theDeputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean said “that Singapore must be psychologically prepared to face water shortages if its reservoirs dry up and when the second water agreement with Malaysia ends in 2061”. Hence, with the population increasing in coming future, that is why Singapore and PUB have come out with the Imported Water plan, so that it also helps with Singapore with the lack of water resources by importing water in.

 

Secondly, besides the Imported Water plan, Singapore have implemented the water infrastructure like desalination and NEWater plants. As PUB, is maximising the good use of the available resources, PUB also turned the seawater into drinking water by using the advanced membrane technology. As according to PUB from PUB website under “The 4^th National tap”, they stated that “PUB will continue to invest in research and technology to find more efficient ways to desalinate water”. To add on, there will be a total of 5 desalination plants which they are: SingSpring, Tuas South and Tuas Desalination Plant and the upcoming, Marina East and Jurong Island Desalination Plant. Hence, that is where NEWater plants and project started. Using the reverse osmosis for the desalination, which allows the water to be reuse and drinkable. Overall, this method has made Singapore to be resilient so that to keep up with the demand for water resources in coming future and quoted from Mr Ng from The Straits Times stated, “it will strengthen Singapore’s water security”. Which it will be no worries for Singapore to have shortage of water demand.

 

Lastly, with PUB engaging with the community, it is good approachable as it encourages the community to create awareness of the water demand in Singapore. Also, for the community to be responsible of the efficient of water usage. Thus, PUB have created some recreational activities, according from PUB website under the engaging the community, offer a host of recreational options for people to enjoy also, organising the water related activities, are welcome as Friends of Water. Hence, is a good plan where this allows the community to have the feel of how important water is with the community experiencing itself. With that, the community will better understand.

In conclusion, the strategies that PUB came up with to conserve water supply to increase and meet the water demand. Also, to raise awareness to the community realize that the community have a part of role to play in. In which, this is a kind of teamwork between the community and the government to aim one goals together, to be independent and having sufficient water supply on its own.

 

Reference List:

PUB WEBSITE (23 November 2020). Overview ABC Water

Retrieved 19 February 2021 from https://www.pub.gov.sg/abcwaters/about

NLB (12 February 2020). Retrieved 19 February 2021 from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2020-02-20_192848.html

Sumisha Naidu (25 June 2018) Exclusive: Price of water sold to Singapore 'ridiculous'; Malaysia to renegotiate deal, says Mahathir. Retrieved 19 February 2021 from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mahathir-water-singapore-malaysia-price-ridiculous-10466780

 

Singapore’s National Water Agency (16 November 2020). Retrieved 20 February 2021 from https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater

Audrey Tan and Ng Keng Gene (5 February 2021) The Straits Times. Retrieved 20 February 2021 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapores-fourth-desalination-plant-officially-opens-can-treat-both-sea-and-reservoir