Summary reader response draft 3

Controlling idea: PUB should elaborate on the use of current technology for water supply

In the article, “PUB Singapore water story”, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) address that Singapore’s water demand may double by 2060 due to the increase in population, to keep up with the demand, Singapore focuses on water management, such as collecting water from the local catchment and importing water from our neighboring country, Malaysia. As Singapore- Malaysia Water agreement is set to end in 2061, NEWater and desalination were introduced, expecting to meet 85% of Singapore’s future water demand by 2060. In hope to see a decrease in water consumption, programs such as Water Closet Replacement Program are created to educate the community on water conservation. According to reports, PUB successfully saw a 15% reduction in household water consumption of a person per day. The demand for water is constantly on the rise with population and economic growth, as a result, to provide an adequate and cost-effective water supply for subsequent generations, Singapore will need to implement water infrastructure well long in advance. Based on the points elaborated in the article, it seems clear that although every effort was made to ensure that water demand is met, however, more work should be done so Singapore can achieve a better sustainability solution to water security issues.

To start off, desalination may be an alternative solution to water shortage. However, PUB does not mention that this method can be harmful to the environment. Food & Water Watch (2009) states that the by-products of desalination include coagulants, bisulfates, and chlorines were dumped into the ocean killing at least 3.4 billion fish and other marines organisms annually. Using this method does not benefit the environment at all in the long run, even though desalination can meet up to 30% of the water demand, alternative methods can be introduced to lessen the damage to the environment.

Following the first drawback, NEWater, and desalination are energy-intensive. Tang (2018) mentions that if PUB continues to use its current technologies, it will have to use four times more energy and produce twice as much sludge to meet Singapore's water demand in 2060. While these methods are efficient in maintaining the water demands, it is unsustainable and costly. Tang (2018) also mentioned that the cost of energy is expected to rise. The price increase of energy might have a significant impact on the energy-dependent water system. Besides energy, manpower is also required to maintain the facility thus increasing the cost of water infrastructure.

Lastly, efforts from the government alone are not enough to mitigate the water security issues in Singapore, Singaporeans play a vital role in ensuring that water is conserved. PUB should emphasize more on the conservation of water in the article. Water is scarce in Singapore, and with the heavy reliance on imported water from Johor, setting to expire in 2061, makes the water even more precious. With water now seemingly readily available, there is little urgency for most people to save water (Boh, S., & Chevroulet, N., 2016). The success story on NEWater might be one of the reasons why the message on conserving water becomes diluted as people might think that Singapore has solved its water security.

There is a difference between what Singaporeans know about water shortages and bringing awareness into practice to conserve water. The key role in keeping up with the water demand is the nation but Singaporean have to take part in conserving the water too or else, the water demand could not be kept. Going forward, public messaging has to change, Singaporeans need to realise that even with new technologies, water will remain a scarce resource.

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