WATER MANAGEMENT IN SINGAPORE - A Unique Experience:Although this was my second visit to Singapore, I went there on a different mission i.e for ASCI-SVI 2006, International Program on ?Achieving Continuous Water Supply in Asian cities? at India and Singapore. Singapore is enchanting and unique in many ways. This is a place where I experienced the harmonious blend of cultures, art and architecture. It attracts with its lush greenery, spiky shells of Esplanade, and chick designer boutiques along Orchard Road. Beneath the impressive skyscrapers and gleaming infrastructure, there lies the true modern city where 21th Century high-tech merges wonderfully with age old historic culture. This is perhaps most welcoming island within palm fringed beaches, clear blue water and friendly people with their warm and welcoming smiles. Singapore is famous for the underwater world in nature parks, spectacular National Orchid garden, Sentosa Island, Night Safari, Jurong Bird park, Singapore river, Raffles landing site, little India, Chinatown and of course Water Hub.
Water Hub is the premier center for research and development in cutting edge water technologies. It brings together technology, learning and networking under one roof for the water industry. Earlier water was a scarce resource in Singapore. But PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with its four National taps (local catchments water, imported water, Newater, desalinated water). Their slogan is ?Water for All, Conserve, Value, Enjoy?. PUB has ensured all Singaporeans to play their part to conserve water, keep their water
catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water. Three key developmental issues on ensuring water sustainability for Singapore are technology, learning and networking? all under one roof for the water industry.
Public Utility Board is the agency that manages Singapore?s water supply, water catchments and sewerage in an integrated way from rainwater collection to used water treatment, the entire ?water loop? is managed by PUB.
STORM WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM & MANAGEMENT
The land area is 680sqkm and average annual rainfall is 2,400mm in Singapore. The population is 4.2 million. The entire population is covered with water supply and modern sanitation facility. PUB ensures efficient, adequate & sustainable supply of water. Water catchments are duly protected and no development work is allowed near the catchments. Almost 70% of the run
off is captured and colleted in the reservoir. Clean waterways is an important aspect of storm water management and desalting of canals and rivers as done periodically.
DESALINATED WATER
As an island nation, the surrounding sea held obvious potential. But desalination was too expensive. The Tuas - SINGSPRING DESALINATION PLANT is a brilliant work at
engineering which has challenged the global perception that desalination is a high-cost source of Singapore through in micro-filtration and two stage reverse osmosis.
NEWATER
NEWater is used water that has been reclaimed and treated to a drinking standard. It is sustainable, environment friendly and cheaper than desalination. All used water is collected and sent to water reclamation plants. NEWater process involves three stages cleaning i.e. micro-filtration through membrane bioreactor, reverse osmosis and finally ultra violet disinfections, which kills bacterial and viruses if present in water. With the addition of chemicals to restore the pH balance, the NEWater is ready for use. Presently it is being used in industries for nonpotable
Use
WATER CONSERVATION
PUB has three ways to conserve water. Pricing - Reflect the strategic importance and scarcity value of water. Mandatory - Cut down an excessive flow and wastage of water. Voluntary - Public, private and people approach to promote water conservation. The water tariff is incremental block tariff where you pay more if you use more water. Water efficient home program is targeted at
domestic household, water detective program in targeted at school children through interactive skits. Water demand is managed by UFW control and water conservation program. There are four measures to control unaccounted-for water.
Network management
Leakage Control
Accurate metering
Strict Legislation
Singapore has maintained its UFW at 5% which is the least in world. Singapore has achieved 24/7 continuous water supplies through its effective leak control, cutting down the water demand & strict pricing.
WATER MANAGEMENT IN SINGAPORE - A Unique Experience:
Although this was my second visit to Singapore, I went there on a different mission i.e for ASCI-SVI 2006, International Program on ?Achieving Continuous Water Supply in Asian cities? at India and Singapore. Singapore is enchanting and unique in many ways. This is a place where I experienced the harmonious blend of cultures, art and architecture. It attracts with its lush greenery, spiky shells of Esplanade, and chick designer boutiques along Orchard Road. Beneath the impressive skyscrapers and gleaming infrastructure, there lies the true modern city where 21th Century high-tech merges wonderfully with age old historic culture. This is perhaps most welcoming island within palm fringed beaches, clear blue water and friendly people with their warm and welcoming smiles. Singapore is famous for the underwater world in nature parks, spectacular National Orchid garden, Sentosa Island, Night Safari, Jurong Bird park, Singapore river, Raffles landing site, little India, Chinatown and of course Water Hub.
Water Hub is the premier center for research and development in cutting edge water technologies. It brings together technology, learning and networking under one roof for the water industry. Earlier water was a scarce resource in Singapore. But PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with its four National taps (local catchments water, imported water, Newater, desalinated water). Their slogan is ?Water for All, Conserve, Value, Enjoy?. PUB has ensured all Singaporeans to play their part to conserve water, keep their water
catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water. Three key developmental issues on ensuring water sustainability for Singapore are technology, learning and networking? all under one roof for the water industry.
Public Utility Board is the agency that manages Singapore?s water supply, water catchments and sewerage in an integrated way from rainwater collection to used water treatment, the entire ?water loop? is managed by PUB.
STORM WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM & MANAGEMENT
The land area is 680sqkm and average annual rainfall is 2,400mm in Singapore. The population is 4.2 million. The entire population is covered with water supply and modern sanitation facility. PUB ensures efficient, adequate & sustainable supply of water. Water catchments are duly protected and no development work is allowed near the catchments. Almost 70% of the run
off is captured and colleted in the reservoir. Clean waterways is an important aspect of storm water management and desalting of canals and rivers as done periodically.
DESALINATED WATER
As an island nation, the surrounding sea held obvious potential. But desalination was too expensive. The Tuas - SINGSPRING DESALINATION PLANT is a brilliant work at
engineering which has challenged the global perception that desalination is a high-cost source of Singapore through in micro-filtration and two stage reverse osmosis.
NEWATER
NEWater is used water that has been reclaimed and treated to a drinking standard. It is sustainable, environment friendly and cheaper than desalination. All used water is collected and sent to water reclamation plants. NEWater process involves three stages cleaning i.e. micro-filtration through membrane bioreactor, reverse osmosis and finally ultra violet disinfections, which kills bacterial and viruses if present in water. With the addition of chemicals to restore the pH balance, the NEWater is ready for use. Presently it is being used in industries for nonpotable
Use
WATER CONSERVATION
PUB has three ways to conserve water. Pricing - Reflect the strategic importance and scarcity value of water. Mandatory - Cut down an excessive flow and wastage of water. Voluntary - Public, private and people approach to promote water conservation. The water tariff is incremental block tariff where you pay more if you use more water. Water efficient home program is targeted at
domestic household, water detective program in targeted at school children through interactive skits. Water demand is managed by UFW control and water conservation program. There are four measures to control unaccounted-for water.
Network management
Leakage Control
Accurate metering
Strict Legislation
Singapore has maintained its UFW at 5% which is the least in world. Singapore has achieved 24/7 continuous water supplies through its effective leak control, cutting down the water demand & strict pricing.
