Summary + Reader Response Draft 3

 

Summary :

Singapore Water Story (2020) by Public Utilities Board (PUB) reports that, the current water demand in Singapore is about 430 million gallons a day and water demand in it's ever-increasing nature could almost double by 2060. Therefore, new water infrastructure such as desalination and NEWater plants has to be built in order to meet these future demands. In view of this, 85% of the future demands will be met via different strategies such as desalination of seawater, collection of water by local water catchments, conservation of water by PUB’s programmes and treatment of used water by NEWater. This is fitting for Singapore’s master plan as a developing global hydrohub as it aims to be independent after the 1962 Water Agreement with Johor expires. Concurrently, the government engages the community through the ABC Waters’ Programme and also, rewards volunteers for their contributions in line with the water cause. In short, effective and engaging are key elements to meeting the future water demands of Singapore.

(163 Words)

Reader Response :

In the article, “Singapore Water Story (2020)”, Public Utilities Board (PUB) addressed the ever-increasing water demand of Singapore that could almost double in the coming years and the solutions needed to be executed to meet the water demand. Based on the various efforts taken by the government as stated in the article, Singapore is well on track to meet the rising water demand via effective solutions such as building new water infrastructure, advancement in technology and creating public awareness on water usage. 

Firstly, Singapore is well-capable in meeting the future water demands because the government is building new water infrastructure such as new water reclamation plants and desalination plants. According to China State Construction (CSCEC) ‘s website, the government has invested $4 billion into building new water infrastructure from 2017 to 2021. This includes a new project that has been awarded to CSCEC, which is the construction of Tuas water reclamation plant that began on December 30^th with a contract period of 39 months. This plant would become the sixth water reclamation plant in Singapore. Moreover, in the article, “Desalinated Water(n.d.)” PUB(Public Utilities Board) reports that, with already 4 currently operating desalination plants, two more desalination plants such as the Marina East desalination plant and Jurong Island desalination plant are expected to be completed by 2020. These new plants would ramp up the supply of freshwater to meet the rising water demands. Therefore, in view of these efforts, Singapore’s journey to meet rising water demands in the future is a surety.

 

Secondly, the government is looking into the advancement of membrane technology that would improve the efficiency of desalination plants which in effect, would offset Singapore’s limited catchment area and minimal groundwater availability. According to the article, “Desalinated Water(n.d.)” by PUB(Public Utilities Board), the government run-organization PUB, has invested into research and technology, venturing into other efficient ways to desalinate seawater. These includes the electro-deionisation method and biomimicry method which saves much more in energy consumption compared to the currently used “reverse-osmosis” process. This aids Singapore to become much more efficient in meeting rising water demands in the future.

 

Lastly, the government has initiated several water conservation plans, creating public awareness about the importance of efficient water usage. These plans include the Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, Water Closet Replacement Programme, Water Efficiency Awards which canopies both the domestic and non-domestic sectors. According to the article, “Save Water(n.d.)” by PUB, it states that, the water conservation plans has helped Singapore’s domestic per capita use of water from 165 litres per person per day in 2000 to 141 litres per person per day in 2018. Hence, Singapore targets an even lower water consumption rate which is 130 litres per person per day by 2030. Consequently, this would help Singapore to secure it’s reputation as “self-sufficient” amid the future rise of water demands.

 

In conclusion, these initiatives towards building a futureproof Singapore against the rising water demands are sufficient and are essential to sustain Singapore’s position as a self-sufficient nation.

References

a. PUB. (n.d.). Save Water. Retrieved from pub :

            https://www.pub.gov.sg/savewater            

b. China State Construction. (2020, December 23). CCDC wins the bid for the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant in Singapore. Retrieved from China State Construction : https://english.cscec.com/CompanyNews/CorporateNews/202012/3250160.html

c. PUB. (n.d.). Singapore Water Story. Retrieved from pub : https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/singaporewaterstory

d. PUB. (n.d.). Desalinated Water. Retrieved from pub : https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater