SINGAPORE - The water level in Johor's Linggiu Reservoir has
dropped to a historic low and Singapore's water supply could be
affected if the dry weather continues, Minister for the Environment
and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said in a Facebook post on
Friday (Nov 13) evening.
Due to low rainfall, the water level in Linggiu Reservoir has
dropped from 55 per cent in August this year to 43 per cent now,
said Mr Masagos, who was at the reservoir on Friday morning.
The Linggiu Reservoir regulates the flow of Johor River, from which
Singapore and Johor draw water for treatment. Mr Masagos noted that
although Singapore can still draw 250 mgd - millions of gallons per
day - from the Johor River "on most days", the low rainfall has
affected both Singapore and Johor's water supply.
"Water rationing exercises are already ongoing in many parts of
Johor. If the dry weather continues, it will eventually also affect
us," he added.
He hopes that the annual northeast monsoon will bring more rain
over the Linggiu Reservoir catchment area. "I have asked PUB to
give me another update on the water situation in December when the
monsoon sets in."
Singapore's strategy of diversifying its water supply "has served
us well", said Mr Masagos. The PUB has been running desalination
and NEWater plants at high capacity to keep local reservoir stocks
healthy.
But if the water stock in Linggiu Reservoir does not recover,
Singapore may have to do more to conserve water, such as
restricting water use for non-critical activities such as washing
cars, water fountains and watering plants.
He urged all Singaporeans to do their part to conserve water.
ST