Water Supply in Singapore
Singapore has only a small land area of 700 km2 of land which means that there are only a few water catchment and reservoirs. Due to the increase in population to approximately 5 million, there is an increased demand for water, especially for domestic use. The expansion in the industrial development will further increase the demand for water in the industrial sector to cool and clean the machines. Therefore, Singapore uses several strategies to increase water supply to meet the demands of the population.
In order to meet the demands for water, Singapore expands its local water catchment area. By increasing the catchment areas, Singapore can make use of natural resources such as rainwater which can be converted into drinkable water. Singapore has a steady annual rainfall of approximately 3000mm. Marina Reservoir is the largest and most urbanised catchment which has to potential to meet 10% of Singapore’s current water needs. PUB has further tried to increase the water catchment area by pioneering a technology known as Variable Salinity Plant to tap on the remaining streams and with this, PUB aims to increase overall catchment to 90%. Therefore, by increasing local catchment and making use of rainwater, Singapore is able to increase its water supply.
However, about two thirds of Singapore’s land is used as water catchment and therefore it requires a lot of land. More space is required for the construction of reservoir and in Singapore land is scarce. If space is given up for catchment areas, there will be lesser land available for residential or industrial use. Hence, increasing water catchment area would result in the loss of valuable land for other economic use.
By using technology to recycle water, Singapore is able to reuse its water more than once which is able to address its lack of water supply. NEWater, introduced in 2002, can multiply our potential water supply. The water is usually used for non-portable industrial purposes such as wafer fabrication,
In order to meet the demands for water, Singapore expands its local water catchment area. By increasing the catchment areas, Singapore can make use of natural resources such as rainwater which can be converted into drinkable water. Singapore has a steady annual rainfall of approximately 3000mm. Marina Reservoir is the largest and most urbanised catchment which has to potential to meet 10% of Singapore’s current water needs. PUB has further tried to increase the water catchment area by pioneering a technology known as Variable Salinity Plant to tap on the remaining streams and with this, PUB aims to increase overall catchment to 90%. Therefore, by increasing local catchment and making use of rainwater, Singapore is able to increase its water supply.
However, about two thirds of Singapore’s land is used as water catchment and therefore it requires a lot of land. More space is required for the construction of reservoir and in Singapore land is scarce. If space is given up for catchment areas, there will be lesser land available for residential or industrial use. Hence, increasing water catchment area would result in the loss of valuable land for other economic use.
By using technology to recycle water, Singapore is able to reuse its water more than once which is able to address its lack of water supply. NEWater, introduced in 2002, can multiply our potential water supply. The water is usually used for non-portable industrial purposes such as wafer fabrication,