1. Singapore’s Water Scarcity
Ali Al-Thani & Mohammed Al-Kuwari

2. Overview One of the Asian Tigers
Went from being a low-income country to being a high-income developed country in the span of a quarter of a century ($47,000 per capita in 2012).
Average growth rate 7-8% since 1960.
Highly skilled labor force and the world’s 6th best healthcare system.
Other characteristics of the economy:
Advanced infrastructure
Diversified economy
Tops the world’s list in the ease of doing business
One of the least corrupt countries –only second to the Scandinavian countries
The world’s 7th most innovative country.
In 2010, the FDI stock in Singapore reached 38 $b

3. Overview
Unlike its neighbors, Singapore does not have natural resources
It is able to purchase natural resources from export revenues.
Singapore is land/arable land scarce
Country area is 710 km. sq.
Singapore is water scarce
Rainwater is the only indigenous source of freshwater –about 2.3 meters per year.

4. History: Water Scarcity
Britain sought to increase its presence in the region.
In 1819, Sir. Thomas Raffles arrives in Singapore and builds a port.
When he arrived, there were about 1500 people living in Singapore.
Limited water sources, mainly wells, were sufficient in supplying the few inhabitants.
By 1822, there were shortages and the first reservoir was constructed.
By 1850, more than 50,000 people were living in Singapore.
Reservoirs were continuously being constructed to supply inhabitants with water.

5. History: Water Scarcity
By 1926, the reservoir system became inefficient and Singapore started importing water from Johor state in Malaysia via pipelines.
In 1961, Singapore signed a 50-year agreement (ended in 2011) with Malaysia that allowed it to import 80 mgd priced at 30 cents per cubic meter.
In 1962, Singapore signed a 99-year contract (ends in 2061) with Malaysia that allows it to import 250 mgd.
In the late 90s, Singapore tried to negotiate new agreements but Malaysia increased the price a lot, making desalination cheaper.

6. History: Population Growth

7. The Solution The Supply Side The Demand Side The Four Taps
Increasing Awareness
New Tax System

8. The Demand Side Increasing Awareness New Tax System
Educating the population (trips
water-producing plants, social
media, new regulations).
New Tax System
$ 1.14 plus 30% conservation
tax for the first 40 cubic meters
per month.
Beyond 40 cubic meters is $1.4
plus 45% tax.
Industries are taxed at a higher rate.

9. The Demand Side

10. The Supply Side The Four Taps Imported water Local catchment water
Desalination water
NEWater
Basically, diversify the
supply source

11. The Four Taps Imported water Local catchment water
Used to be the largest source
Currently, about 30-40%
Will not be a source after 2061
Local catchment water
17 reservoirs covering
two thirds of the island
Less than 10%.
Aiming to cover 90% of
the island by 2060.

12. The Four Taps 3. Desalination Water First plant opened in 2005
Currently, there are two plants
and plans for new plants
About 15% of domestic supply.

13. The Four Taps 4. NEWater: use each drop more than once!
Use of advanced technology to
recycle wastewater.
NEWater exceeds the requirements
set by USEPA & WHO, and it it
Singapore’s cleanest water source.
Passed more than 100,000
scientific tests.
Currently, it supplies about 25% of
domestic consumption
Used in industries and cooling systems
only.

14. The Four Taps

15. The Water Loop

16. Recommendation To focus on NEWater
Doubles the water supply as each drop is used more than once.
Cheaper than desalination ( Desalination= $0.5 per cubic meter and NEWater= $0.3)
NEWater production uses less energy than desalination.
You can control water quality –which further reduces production costs.
More efficient than reservoirs (do not depend on rain fall and uses less space).
Most countries are facing water scarcity or are going to in the future, thus focusing on the technology would give Singapore a competitive advantage (it can export it).