SINGAPORE: The Singapore government has once again
reiterated that the expiry of the 1961 Water Agreement with
Malaysia will have no impact on the Singapore's water supply and
water tariffs.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
Yaacob Ibrahim said this on Friday in Parliament.
Dr Yaacob noted that Singapore's first Water
Agreement with Malaysia would expire on August 31, 2011, while the
second Water Agreement would expire in 2061.
Through the years, as part of the Four National Taps strategy,
Singapore has been building up local sources of water by developing
new reservoir schemes as well as through desalination and using
NEWater.
Dr Yaacob said with the completion of Punggol and Serangoon
Reservoirs by the end of the year, the country's water catchment
would increase to two-thirds of Singapore's land area.
The second desalination plant in Tuas, which would be ready in
2013, will add another 70 million gallons of water a day to the
water supply.
In addition, Singapore would continue to introduce NEWater into its
reservoirs, especially during dry spells.
By 2060, Dr Yaacob said Singapore plans to increase the
desalination and NEWater capacities to meet up to 30 per cent and
50 per cent of water needs respectively.
He said these local sources are sufficient to replace water
imported under the 1961 Water Agreement.
But for water sustainability, having a robust water supply is only
half the story, he said.
Singapore must continue efforts in water conservation, with the
government setting an example.
Close to 70 per cent of all public sector buildings have achieved
the Water Efficiency Building certification as part of their
efforts to reduce water consumption.
The private sector is also demonstrating commitment to improve
water efficiency.
To date, 86 premises have submitted their Water Efficiency
Management Plans, with overall water saving targets of up to 10 per
cent.
For the domestic sector, Dr Yaacob said the long-term target is to
bring down the daily per capita domestic water consumption to 147
litres by 2020, and 140 litres by 2030.
Today, Singapore's homes consume 154 litres, down from 165 litres
in 2003.
-CNA/wk