How do Singapore boost water supply ?
Singapore is looking into new ways of desalination that could potentially increase its water catchment areas to 90 percent. It is also building a plant to further test one technology of turning water from the sea, river, stream or even drains into usable water.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said this would go some way to enhance Singapore's water sources.
But even so, the Minister said efforts were underway to make sure Singaporeans continue to save water.
The Public Utilities Board is looking at ways to stop Singaporeans from flushing away water unnecessarily. It may soon become compulsory to install dual-flush cisterns in all new buildings and those undergoing renovations by 2009. The Housing and Development Board will be carrying out a pilot project to have them installed in flats undergoing the Main Upgrading Programme. Dual flush models use less water as it allows users to choose a half-flush rather than a full flush.
A new programme called the 10-litre challenge will also be rolled out this year. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said: "This programme aims to get individuals to reduce daily water consumption by 10 litres. I was told that just by reducing shower time by one minute, each person can save up to 9 litres of water."
PUB will also work with grassroots organisations to form water volunteer groups. These groups will visit households to educate them on water saving habits. They will also be visiting lower-income and needy families to help them save on their water bills.
Besides public education, PUB has been testing new systems to further enhance Singapore's water sources. And they have been successful.
A pilot project is being conducted at this Membrane Distillation Plant which boils seawater and collects the water vapour. This technology is powered by waste heat released by Senoko Incineration Plant. This plant not only uses steam that otherwise would have been released into the air, but also consumes less energy as compared to reverse osmosis that's used in the production of NeWater and desalinated water. As such, PUB hopes that in the long run, water produced this way will be cheaper than desalinated water.
The two cubic metres of water produced by this method has its salt content reduced by 1,000 times. The energy used is also 3 times less than that used in reverse osmosis. This pilot project has been going on since January and if all goes well, PUB will build a demonstration plant after the pilot trial ends its run next year.
Another project - the Variable Salinity Plant - produces potable water from rainwater and seawater as well as smaller streams. PUB says this project can potentially increase Singapore's water catchment area from 67 percent to 90 percent. A demonstration plant at Sungei Tampines will be ready by year's end. The plant from the pilot project has been donated to the Maldives to desalinate water from the sea for portable use.
If need be, Singapore can be self-sufficient beyond 2061. Besides ensuring a sustainable supply of water, we will also continue to uphold high standards of water quality, water supply security and reliability.
PUB will also be looking at ways to enable the community to better enjoy the reservoirs and waterways by improving the aesthetics surrounding the water bodies. A pilot project to provide landscaping along a short stretch of Kallang River is in the pipeline in the second half of this year.
