Water rationing not needed yet, but drills may be held; dry spell since January 2014

By Siau Ming En, TODAY, 8 Mar 2014

Water consumption in the Republic has gone up by 5 per cent during the current dry spell and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan told Parliament he is seriously considering a suggestion to conduct water-rationing exercises as a means of public education, even though they are not an operational necessity.

Currently, Singapore is consuming 420 million gallons of water a day (mgd), an increase from the average of 400mgd. The rise in usage came from both the domestic and non-domestic sectors, said national water agency PUB in response to media queries.

While investments in NEWater and desalination have diversified the nation’s water-supply sources and strengthened water security, Dr Balakrishnan said this margin of safety also carries a risk of complacency if water usage rises during a dry spell.

“In fact, it has gone up,” he added. “From our latest water-demand figures, we are currently consuming about 420mgd of water a day. Now, if the demand figure continues to increase then, certainly, I will have to re-evaluate the adequacy of our current plans.”

Dr Balakrishnan made these remarks as he responded to a supplementary question posed by Jurong GRC Member of Parliament David Ong, who asked at what point would the minister deem it necessary for Singapore to start conducting water-rationing exercises, which were last seen in the 1960s.

Dr Balakrishnan said he had received feedback from the public that he should consider conducting some exercises as a form of public education, even if there is no operational need for one.

“This is a suggestion I am taking seriously to remind people of the value of water,” he added.

“I also think it may not be a bad idea for us to rehearse the procedures and processes that are needed, if we ever get to the point where water rationing is needed. So, I am looking at it right now more as a public communications tool. Fortunately, we are not at a point where this is an operational necessity.”

Earlier, the minister told Parliament that the PUB had stepped up desalination and increased NEWater production, with the latter being used to top up reservoirs, keeping reservoir stocks at a “healthy level” despite the lack of rain. These two sources of water supplement other sources from the local catchment areas and imported water from Johor, he said.

Dr Balakrishnan reiterated the need for all parties, such as town councils, the management teams for condominiums and private areas as well as commercial and industrial buildings, to play their part in water conservation. In addition, the ministry will be announcing other measures to encourage longer-term water conservation efforts in the non-domestic sector during its Committee of Supply debate next week.

“I still think most of us are not aware that (with) each minute of leaving the shower on, nine litres of water (are consumed),” he said. “Similarly, making sure that we wash clothes only when the machine is full, in order to optimise economies of scale, or wash dishes in a container rather than leave taps running — all these little measures add up and can save a significant amount of water for us.”

Post by Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR).

63% say drought has not led to less water use
By Grace Chua, Laura Ng And Vanessa Chng, The Straits Times, 8 Mar 2014

MOST people here have not changed their water use in response to the current dry spell.

Of 701 people who responded to a Straits Times poll on Thursday and yesterday, 438 (62.5 per cent) said the dry spell had not made a difference to their water use. Many said they were already being frugal about water use.

Another 19.7 per cent said they were using less water by taking shorter showers, not washing their cars, and by doing dishes in a filled basin or sink.

The remainder said they were using more - drinking more, taking more showers and watering plants.

Singapore has had a prolonged, record-setting spell of dry weather since mid-January, and a 5per cent increase in water usage.

To maintain water levels in reservoirs, PUB has stepped up desalination to full capacity of 100 million gallons a day (mgd) and Newater production to over 100 mgd.

Meanwhile, attractions and commercial buildings have taken extra steps to save water. The Science Centre Singapore has closed its Waterworks play area and water features, while developer and mall owner CapitaLand has shut off external water features at most of its buildings. Hong Leong Group, which owns Millennium and Copthorne hotels and commercial buildings, has done likewise and has deferred cleaning the facades of some buildings.

The Chin family was among those taking water conservation more seriously.

Small business owner Catherine Chin, 42, waters plants with water collected from washing vegetables and rice, and mops the floor with water used for laundry.

Her husband, Mr Chin Yeow Wah, 49, said: "It's a good practice that we should continue - with or without the dry spell."

But what would it take for people to make a conscious effort to conserve water? Mr Eric Kok, 42, said: "If the Government gave us rebates or NTUC vouchers, if we could lower our water bills from month to month, I would ensure that my family saves water."

Public policy lecturer Leong Ching, who studies water policy and teaches at the National University of Singapore, said she could see why usage doesn't change: "I think it is because they don't see the direct link between, say, taking a shorter shower, and the levels in a reservoir."

Though desalination and Newater create self-sufficiency, she added, both of these require energy. "So we may be self-sufficient but water is not free."

She noted that Singapore's per capita domestic water consumption, at 151 litres a day last year, was more than that of Denmark and Finland, which use 131 and 115 litres a day respectively.

More could be done to affirm the efforts of people who are frugal about water use, such as putting a smiley face on their bill, she added. "To me, this drought is a perfect opportunity to focus people's minds on this issue," Dr Leong said.

Singapore's leaders push for water conservation on World Water Day
By Vimita Mohandas, Channel NewsAsia, 15 Mar 2014

There has been little or no rainfall since mid-January, and the importance water conservation was stressed by our leaders as Singapore observes World Water Day on Saturday.

Activities aimed at spreading the water conservation message were held island-wide on Saturday. With the theme of "Going Big on Saving Water" -- activities will be held throughout the month reaching out to more than 200,000 people.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said everyone should make small lifestyle adjustments to make a big difference to Singapore's efforts in saving water.

Speaking at the Marina Barrage which saw some 10,000 people taking part in various activities, he stressed that immediate steps must be taken to cut down on non-essential water usage.

Also spreading the message to save water was Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who addressed some 3,000 people at Jurong Lake.

Mr Tharman said: "I didn't know that if you reduce your shower time by one minute, it will save nine litres of water. I'm told that amongst many of our younger generation, they just leave their shower on while they are soaping themselves. So turn the shower off when it's not necessary."

Mr Teo also had his own conservation tip to share: "Use water from a mug instead of a running tap while brushing your teeth. Wash clothes on a full load or re-use rinse water from the washing machine for flushing. When added up, these savings will help stretch out water resources further."

Also spreading the message of water conservation was Law Minister K Shanmugam at Yishun Pond and Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Geylang Serai.

Geyland Serai residents were asked to bring two consecutive utility bills between September 2013 and March 2014. The first 200 residents who reduced usage by at least S$2 get a S$5 NTUC voucher.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck also stressed the importance of saving water to residents at Punggol Waterway.

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