The Singapore Water Story
With no natural aquifers or an abundance of land, Singapore has recognised providing sustainable supply of water for its people as a vital issue in the 1960s. In the early days, they faced and overcame drought, floods and water pollution as the city grew.
Looking back through Singapore’s water journey over half a century, they have, through investment in research and technology, found an integrated, effective and cost-efficient way to solve our water challenges.
Three methods of how Singapore overcome water constraints
1. Water conservation
Collecting rainwater
In Singapore, collecting rainwater through pipes and drains into the reservoirs is commonly used as a method of conservation.
Repairing underground pipes systems
It will be very wasteful if water is losing through leaking old pipes and faulty connections constantly for a period of time.
Using water saving methods and technology
-Use water drips instead of water sprays/irrigation canals
-Replacements of older equipments to water saving equipment
Educating the public
-Organise some save water campaigns or even water rationing exercises and also through mass media.
2. Increasing the price of water
Ø Having 2 tiered water rates
Ø water conservation tax to encourage conservation of water
Ø And also tell the public not waste money on water.
3. Increasing the water supply
-Expanding Local Catchment Area
Currently, Singapore uses two separate systems to collect rainwater and used water. Rainwater is collected through a comprehensive network of drains, canals, rivers and storm water collection ponds before it is channelled to Singapore's 17 reservoirs for storage. This makes Singapore one of the few countries in the world to harvest urban storm water on a large scale for its water supply.
The newest reservoirs are Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs which are our 16th and 17th reservoirs. Combined with Marina Reservoir which has the most urbanised catchment of 10,000 hectares, Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs will increase Singapore's water catchment area from half to two-thirds of its land area.
Marina Barrage, the 15th reservoir, was built and it The barrage serves three benefits:
- It creates a freshwater lake to boost Singapore’s water supply
- Acts as a tidal barrier to prevent flooding in low-lying city areas
- keeps the water level consistent, offering a venue for water-based activities in the heart of the city.
Reservoirs and rivers
Reservoirs
Pandan Reservoir | Kranji Reservoir |
Jurong Lake Reservoir | MacRitchie Reservoir |
Upp Peirce Reservoir | Lower Peirce Reservoir |
Bedok Reservoir | Upp Seletar Reservoir |
Lower Seletar Reservoir | Poyan Reservoir |
Murai Reservoir | Tengeh Reservoir |
Sarimbun Reservoir | Pulau Tekong Reservoir |
Marina Reservoir | Serangoon Reservoir |
Pungol Reservoir | |
Rivers
Jurong River
Pandan River
Ulu Pandan River
Peng Siang River
Tengah River
Kangkar River
Singapore River
Kallang River
Rochor River
Geylang River
Bedok River
Changi River
Selarang River
Loyang River
Tampines River Serangoon River
Tong Kang River
Punggol River
Seletar River
Seletar Simpang River
Khatib Bongsu River
Sembawang River
Mandai River
Ø Imported water
Singapore has been importing water from Malaysia, Johor Baharu under two bilateral agreements.
1. The agreement gave Singapore the full and exclusive right to draw off all the water within the designated land at Gunong Pulai, Sungei Tebrau and Sungei Scudai for a period of 50 years up till 2011. Singapore was to pay an annual rent of $5 per acre for the land and a charge of 3 cents for every 1,000 gallons of water. Singapore also agreed to provide Johor with a daily supply of treated water up to 12% of the raw water it drew, subject to a minimum of four million gallons (18,184m3), and at a price of 50 cents per 1,000 gallons.
2. Under this agreement, Singapore was allowed to construct a dam across Sungei Linggui to facilitate the extraction of water from Johor River, with Johor setting aside about 21,600ha (216km2) of land for the project. Singapore agreed to pay RM320 million as compensation for the permanent loss of use of the land and its associated revenue, in addition to a premium of RM18,000 per hectare (per 10,000m2) and an annual rent of RM30 for every 1,000ft2 (per 92.9m2) of the land. The cost of building and maintaining the dam would be borne by Singapore.
In return, Singapore could buy (from Johor) treated water generated by the new dam. This would be over and above the 250mgd of raw water that it was allowed to draw from Johor River under the 1962 agreement. The price of this additional supply would be calculated based on a fixed formula: the weighted average of Johor's water tariffs plus 50% of the surplus from the sale of this water by PUB to its consumers after deducting Johor's price and PUB's cost of distribution, or 115% of the weighted average of Johor's water tariffs, whichever was higher.
In return, Singapore could buy (from Johor) treated water generated by the new dam. This would be over and above the 250mgd of raw water that it was allowed to draw from Johor River under the 1962 agreement. The price of this additional supply would be calculated based on a fixed formula: the weighted average of Johor's water tariffs plus 50% of the surplus from the sale of this water by PUB to its consumers after deducting Johor's price and PUB's cost of distribution, or 115% of the weighted average of Johor's water tariffs, whichever was higher.
