While Malaysia has been an important source of water for Singapore, the country has been investing in research and development to create alternative sources of water over the years. So where does Singapore get the estimated million gallons a day that it consumes? According to the national water agency PUB, Singapore had just two water sources 50 years ago. Today, there are four, and the water supply can be divided into "four national taps": local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. Rainwater is collected and stored in reservoirs such as Upper Peirce Reservoir in Singapore.
Singapore Has No Natural Water Supply, but the Country Isn’t Going Thirsty
Singapore’s journey from a water scarce to a water secure nation
Singapore has tapped every opportunity to collect, treat, reuse and produce necessary water resources. Singapore has developed from being a water-scarce developing nation into a world leader in water management within a few decades. Since independence in , one of the main concerns of the government has been to provide clean water for the growing domestic and non-domestic sectors. In , Singapore was dependent on the state of Johor, Malaysia, for water resources under two agreements: one signed in and a second one signed in
Singapore's water supply: Where does it come from?
Water supply and sanitation in Singapore is characterised by a number of achievements in the challenging environment of a densely populated island. Access to water is universal, affordable, efficient and of high quality. Innovative integrated water management approaches such as the reuse of reclaimed water , the establishment of protected areas in urban rainwater catchments and the use of estuaries as freshwater reservoirs have been introduced along with seawater desalination in order to reduce the country's dependence on water imported from neighbouring country, Malaysia. Singapore's approach does not rely only on physical infrastructure, but it also emphasizes proper legislation and enforcement, water pricing, public education as well as research and development.
Recycled water can also supply water for drinking and cooking. The NEWater plants follow a three-step process. First, membranes filter out small particles such as solids and bacteria. Next, reverse osmosis takes out larger contaminants. Last, the water is disinfected with ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide.