SINGAPORE: Minister for the Environment and Water
Resources Vivian Balakrishnan has given citizens the assurance that
there would be no change to the structure or to the rates of
pricing of water charges this year.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan made this clarification in
parliament on Monday while the House debated amendments to the
Public Utilities and Sewerage and Drainage Bills, which aim to
reinforce current safeguards to enhance the management of water
resources to ensure the reliability of water
supply.
He said: "I am not making any announcements on new
rates or new charges. That's not on the cards at this point in
time. In the long term, a key determinant of the price or the cost
of water is the cost of energy.
"So no Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in
Singapore can ever give you a warranty that water prices will not
change in the future.
"It is dependant on so many factors which are beyond our control
and are in a sense because of our uniquely water constraint
circumstances.
"We are very mindful that by running a most efficient and possible
water system we can maintain water at an affordable rate for all
our people, for even those low income families through U-Save
(Utilities-Save) we ensure that everyone has access to the water
that they need.
"We can all turn on our taps today and receive clean safe drinking
water at any time of the day, any day of the year.
"We often take this for granted, but behind each tap lies an
integrated system comprising over 7,000km of drains, 17 reservoirs,
water catchment area which constitutes two-thirds of Singapore, 7
water treatment plants, 5,400km of water mains, 3,400km of sewers,
4 water reclamation plants, and 4 NEWater factories."
Dr Balakrishnan told the House that to continue meeting Singapore's
growing water needs, there are two key strategies.
These are to expand local water catchments and to increase NEWater
capacity.
He said these developments require the support of corresponding
laws which empowers PUB, the national water agency, to carry out
its duties effectively.
So among the changes include enabling further expansion of the
water catchments, stricter controls on pollution and greater
clarity on contributions to the national used water system.
To enhance the resilience of NEWater production, the changes
propose tighter regulation of discharges of hazardous substances to
the used water system.
There will also be greater protection of infrastructure through
specific and higher penalties to commensurate with consequences of
damage to PUB properties.
There will also be requirements for thorough investigations before
any excavation, piling or similar works.
He said: "It is essential that Singapore continues to secure a
sustainable and resilient water supply to meet the long term needs
of a growing economy and a growing population and to cope with the
long term dangers of climate uncertainty.
"To achieve this, our water catchments will be progressively
expanded. This will be complemented by expanding NEWater and
Desalination capabilities and it is therefore essential to ensure
that the quality of catchment water and adequately protect our
water infrastructure."
- CNA/ck
