Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?

Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?
Chapter 4 Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?

Think about this! Suggested question for students:
How far are you prepared to go for water? The image shows a scene that is common in Africa where low rainfall and insufficient water management make obtaining clean water very difficult. People walk barefoot for 10 kilometres just to get a bucket of water. Then, they carry the 20-kilogramme bucket while walking another 10 kilometres home. The water in the bucket may not even be clean and is only enough to last for a day. Show students this video on water shortage in places in the world: A world without water — Image: Textbook pg 120

Think about this! In Singapore, you get water just by turning on the tap. We are fortunate to enjoy a stable and accessible water supply. However, just 50 years ago, Singapore was facing a serious water shortage. The city grew rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s, and this threatened our country’s water supply. Certain strategies had to be put in place to help Singapore overcome its water shortage. Yet, having a stable water supply now does not guarantee a lifelong supply. Suggested questions for students: 1. Do you know where your tap water comes from? 2. Do you think there is any risk of it running out? 3. Do you know your water footprint? 4. What are the various uses of water? Image: © Wikimedia Commons

Chapter 4 Water Supply In this chapter, you will explore these Guiding Questions: What is water shortage? Which locations in the world are facing water shortage? Why does water shortage occur? How does water shortage impact people and countries? How can Singapore avoid water shortage? Show students this video for an introduction to water: Water Facts —

Chapter 4 Water Supply In this chapter, you will explore these Guiding Questions: What is water shortage? Which locations in the world are facing water shortage? Why does water shortage occur? How does water shortage impact people and countries? How can Singapore avoid water shortage?

1. What is water shortage? Hydrological cycle (water cycle)
Continuous movement of water from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again. Along the way, the water takes on different states Water cycle is driven by heat energy from the sun Water is a renewable resource — can be naturally replenished

5. The rest of the water that is not absorbed
1. Heat from the sun causes water from lakes, rivers, oceans and the surface layers of soil to change to water vapour (evaporation) 2. As the water vapour rises into the atmosphere, it cools and becomes water droplets (condensation) 1. Plants also give out water vapour through their leaves (transpiration) 5. The rest of the water that is not absorbed into the ground flows over the earth’s surface, down hills and mountains into rivers, lakes and eventually seas (surface runoff) 3. These water droplets gather together to form clouds. When more water droplets gather, the clouds get too heavy. Thus, water falls back to the earth’s surface (precipitation) 4. Some of the water that falls onto the ground may seep into the soil (infiltration). Water that infiltrates deep into the ground, and is contained in the soil and the underlying rocks, becomes groundwater. Image: Textbook pg 123 Hydrological cycle

1. What is water shortage? Uses of water Domestic use
Cooking, cleaning Drinking Economic activities Agriculture: 20% of total water to grow rice, 3% of total water to grow cotton Industry: To generate electricity and manufacture products Suggested questions for students: 1. How much water does an average adult consume every day? - 3 litres 2. What percentage of water is used for domestic purposes? - 8% 3. What percentage of water is used for economic purposes (agriculture and industry)? 92% Pie chart: Textbook pg 124

1. What is water shortage? Uses of water Domestic use
Globally, domestic water use accounts for the smallest percentage of all water used Consumption (e.g. drinking and cooking) Hygiene (e.g. bathing and flushing the toilet) Amenity use (e.g. washing the car and watering the garden) The volume and way that water is used may differ from household to household Suggested question for students: Why does the volume and way that water is used differ from household to household? Give examples. - This is because we have different personal habits and household appliances are designed differently.

1. What is water shortage? Domestic use (Singapore)
In 2011, Singaporean households used an average of 153 litres of water per person per day. Pie chart and table: Textbook pg 125

1. What is water shortage? Domestic use (Canada)
In 2012, Canadian households used an average of 305 litres of water per person per day. Suggested question for students: Compare the types of domestic water consumption between a Singaporean household and a Canadian household. What similarities or differences can you see? Think of reasons to explain these similarities or differences. - Similarities: Laundry, washbasin, kitchen sink - Differences: Others (more garden to water), shower, flushing cistern, laundry (water saving devices used) Pie chart and table: Textbook pg 125

1. What is water shortage? Uses of water Economic use (Agriculture)
Uses the greatest amount of water globally As the world’s population grows rapidly, more water is needed to grow more crops to feed people Crucial for growing fruits, vegetables, grain, coffee, tea, oil palm, rubber and cocoa In places with abundant rainfall all year round  less water is used for agriculture because crops are naturally watered by rain

Where rainfall is low or irregular  more water is used for agriculture because of irrigation Irrigation: Water is obtained from water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wells) and is sprayed or watered onto crops Without irrigation, crops will not grow in dry areas such as the deserts of California

Often, large amounts of water are needed to produce a small quantity of an agricultural product Let’s try it! (Textbook pg 127): 1. Which products require less than 1,000 litres of water to produce per kilogramme? Lettuce, banana, apple, potato 2. Why does the cultivation of rice require so much water? The rice fields are flooded from planting to before harvesting period. Rice grows better in flooded soils. The condition deters weeds, pest plants and vermin from affecting the crop Image: Textbook pg 126

To meet the world’s increasing demand for food, more places are relying on irrigation More water is used to increase crop yield Compared to 50 years ago, the amount of water used for irrigation today has increased by 70 % Area of irrigated land has also doubled

1. What is water shortage? Uses of water Economic use (Industry)
Industrial water use accounts for 22 % of total water used 57–69 % is used for hydropower and nuclear power generation 30 –40 % is used for industrial processes such as manufacturing 0.5–3 % is used for thermal power generation Major users of water are industries that produce steel, chemicals, paper and petroleum

Used in all manufacturing processes as the processes create lots of heat due to friction and chemical reactions Needed to cool down the machinery and equipment Used to clean the machinery and products Image: Textbook pg 127

Power generation Large amounts of water are used for the manufacture, maintenance and cooling of generators Large portion of water is lost through evaporation, absorption and leaks Thermal power generation Electricity is produced by steam-powered generators where huge amounts of water are required to produce the steam

Some industrial products are used as raw materials for making other products Thus, more water is needed to produce the finished product An average car requires about 400,000 litres of water in its entire production process. Image: Textbook pg 128

Tourism industry In 2012, there were billion international visitors Estimated that the number of international visitors will reach 1.8 billion by 2030 With steady expansion of the global tourism industry, the demand for water will increase Suggested question for students: 1. Why would the demand for water increase with the expansion of the global tourism industry? - Water is needed to produce the materials that are required to build up the tourism infrastructure, more people employed and brought in to work in the tourism sector, in food etc. 2. Why would tourists often use more water than the locals? - More water is used in facilities such as swimming pools, bathtubs, saunas, steam rooms. Also, the changing of bed sheets and towels every day in hotels leads to a higher water usage. Tourists may also not practise water conservation.

Images: Textbook pg 128

1. What is water shortage? Water footprint
Water footprint: Total volume of water (m3) used to produce the goods and services for a person in a year which includes all domestic and economic uses of water Water per capita: Amount of water used per person Some countries have a bigger water footprint as they use a lot more water per capita than others Suggested question for students: Do you know how much water you have used? You can find out by calculating your water footprint. (Visit

1. What is water shortage? Water footprint
Suggested questions for students: Which continents have more countries with a water footprint per capita above the global average? - North America, Europe, Oceania 2. Identify a continent with a water footprint per capita below the global average. Africa, Asia 3. What do you think is the water footprint for Singapore? One that is above the global average Map: Water footprint per capita of countries around the world (Textbook pg 129)

1. What is water shortage? Water shortage
Water shortage: Occurs when the level of water usage exceeds the water supply available (water is being used at a rate faster than it can be replenished) Not everybody has access to clean water Over 1 billion people in the world do not have enough clean water to drink and this number is predicted to increase

1. What is water shortage? Water shortage Example (New Delhi, India)
Faces water shortage due to the country’s growing population whereby a large number of people has moved from the countryside to the city Water demand in peak summer months has reached more than 4.35 million m3 a day However, the city gets only about 3.22 million m3 a day Image: Textbook pg 130

1. What is water shortage? Water shortage
Water shortage can occur in places with dry or wet climates. Table: Textbook pg 130

2. Which locations in the world are facing water shortage?
Distribution of water on earth Water is the most abundant substance on earth’s surface 71 % of the earth’s surface is covered in water where most of the earth’s water is in the oceans Only 2.8 % of the earth’s water is fresh water which is found in rivers, lakes and groundwater, in which 68.6 % is locked up in ice caps and glaciers 30.1 % is groundwater 1.3 % is on the surface of the earth, in which 87 % is in lakes And the rest is found in rivers and swamps

Distribution of water on earth Image: Textbook pg 132

Distribution of water on earth Oceans The world’s oceans are all interconnected in a single, enormous body of water Pacific Ocean is the largest, covering 1/3 of the total area of earth’s surface Water in the oceans is replenished by precipitation and rivers that flow into the oceans

Distribution of water on earth Oceans Map: Textbook pg 133

Distribution of water on earth Groundwater Is stored underground in the soil and underlying rocks When rain falls to the ground, some of the water infiltrates the ground until it reaches solid rock The water then fills up the empty spaces and cracks above that layer of rock When all these spaces are entirely filled, the ground is filled with water. This water is groundwater. As more water infiltrates deep into the ground, groundwater storage will increase

Distribution of water on earth Groundwater Image: Textbook pg 133

Distribution of water on earth Groundwater Map: The distribution of groundwater resources in the world. The most abundant supply of groundwater is found in South America and Africa (Textbook pg 134)

Distribution of water on earth Groundwater People mostly use surface fresh water however, people are increasingly drawing from groundwater in places where there is insufficient surface fresh water Many countries use groundwater for irrigation Globally, about 38% of water for irrigation comes from groundwater Countries with the largest areas irrigated with groundwater are India (390,000 km2), China (190,000 km2) and USA (170,000 km2) Suggested questions for students: 1. Why do people prefer to use surface water than groundwater? - Easier to access, lack of wells/technology to access the groundwater 2. Why are people increasingly drawing from groundwater? - There is insufficient surface water, little/no rain

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Ice cap: A thick, continuous mass of ice which covers large areas of land Glacier: A body of ice that moves down a slope due to gravity. It forms when snow accumulates and is compacted to form ice Almost 69% of the earth’s fresh water is trapped in ice caps and glaciers

Images: Textbook pg 135 Ice caps and glaciers are usually far from where people stay and hence inaccessible

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Ice caps and glaciers are unevenly distributed across the world. Huge ice caps are found in Antarctica and vast glaciers are found in Greenland Map: Textbook pg 135

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes River: A large natural stream of fresh water flowing along a definite course into another water body Source may be a lake, spring or melting glacier As the river flows downstream, precipitation, groundwater and other smaller streams (tributaries) add to the flow The end of a river is its mouth where it flows into another body of water such as a lake or the ocean

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Image: A river system (Textbook pg 136)

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Map: World’s largest river drainage basins (the land area drained by a river and its tributaries) (Textbook pg 136)

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Lake: A body of water occupying a hollow in the earth’s surface The Great Lakes of North America is the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth Image: Textbook pg 138

Distribution of water on earth Ice caps, glaciers, rivers and lakes Map: Global distribution of the world’s largest freshwater lakes by surface area (Textbook pg 138)

Locations in the world facing water shortage Fresh water is distributed unevenly across the world Fresh water availability of a country is calculated by dividing the country’s total water resources (m3) by its total population Different levels of fresh water availability: Water security, water vulnerability, water stress, water scarcity

Locations in the world facing water shortage Water security: When a country has adequate and sustainable fresh water for human consumption and use more than 2,500 m3 per capita per year Water vulnerability: If fresh water availability is between 1,701 and 2,500 m3 Water stress: If fresh water availability is between 1,001 and 1,700 m3 Water scarcity: When fresh water availability falls below 1,000 m3 Suggested question for students: Why does water scarcity occur? - Natural factor: Low rainfall - Human activities: When the amount of water withdrawn is so great that water supplies are no longer adequate to meet demands

Locations in the world facing water shortage Let’s try it! (Textbook pg 140): 1. Australia does not suffer from fresh water vulnerability. (True/False) 2. No fresh water figures are available for Antarctica. (True/False) 3. All countries south of the Equator experience water security. (True/False) 4. Both North and South American continents have adequate water. (True/False) 5. India has more fresh water per capita compared to China. (True/False) Map: Distribution of fresh water availability across the world (Textbook pg 139)

Locations in the world facing water shortage Map: Average rainfall for this region is below 250 millimetres per year (Textbook pg 140)

Locations in the world facing water shortage Northern Africa is one of the driest areas in the world Rainfall is low and unreliable (natural factor) Most countries in Northern Africa cannot meet their current water demand Forecasts show that climate change will make the weather hotter and drier — more water will be lost due to higher evaporation rates and reduced infiltration  smaller groundwater supply Suggested questions for students: What do you think is the fresh water availability level in Northern Africa? - Water scarcity 2. How does this affect Northern Africa? - Suffer from water and food shortage, unable to cultivate much crops, famine, etc.

Locations in the world facing water shortage Water shortage can also be caused by human activities For example, Uzbekistan (in Central Asia) used to rely on abundant water supply from the Aral Sea (once the world’s fourth-largest lake) Due to increasing demand for crops, the increase in irrigation led to a decreasing supply of water  Causing water shortage in surrounding countries

Locations in the world facing water shortage Map: Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers are diverted along irrigation canals to support crop production in the Aral Sea Basin (Textbook pg 141)

Locations in the world facing water shortage Image: Shrinking Aral Sea as shown in satellite images from 1977 to 2006 (Textbook pg 141)

Locations in the world facing water shortage Since 1950s: People have diverted water from the rivers that flow into the Aral Sea to large-scale irrigation projects for crops such as rice and cotton By early 1980s: Aral Sea’s water supply was completely cut off and Aral Sea began to shrink drastically By 2006: Aral Sea had dried up to almost 10% of its original size as the Aral Sea is a closed lake and it has no outlet Over time: Remaining water in the sea has become salt water and thus less suitable for drinking

3. Why does water shortage occur?
Demand factors Population growth Affluence Supply factors Seasonal rainfall Water pollution

Demand factors Population growth Ever-increasing world population Increasing demand for food Water consumption for agriculture will increase Worldwide demand for water is doubling every 21 years, or even faster in some countries Water supply cannot keep up with such demands Suggested question for students: Why will the water consumption for agriculture increase? Large amount of water needed to grow the grain needed to feed cattle Irrigation for crops to feed growing population

Demand factors Population growth Graphs: Relationship between world population growth and water consumption (Textbook pg 142)

Demand factors Population growth Most of the world’s population growth will take place in less developed countries These countries are already facing water shortage or water stress Rising populations in these countries will put an even greater strain on their water resources Graph: Population by continent (Textbook pg 143)

Demand factors Population growth Example Shijiazhuang (a growing city in China) is experiencing water shortage due to its rising population In 1900: Consisted of a group of farming villages In 2007: City had about 2.3 million people Rising population  Increasing demand for water The city now pumps groundwater heavily with some of the wells going as deep as 200 m

Demand factors Affluence Being affluent: Having wealth and being able to live more comfortably Water consumption has increased twice as fast as population growth in the last century People living in affluent countries use more water, or have a greater water footprint, than those in less developed countries Between 2007 –2025, water consumption is predicted to rise by 50 % in less developed countries and 18 % in developed countries Suggested question for student: Why do you think water consumption is predicted to rise by a large amount in less developed countries? More people move from rural areas to cities Setup of industries in these countries Etc.

Demand factors Affluence With more money, people may also start to consume goods that are produced using more water and live a lifestyle that consumes more water Table: Comparison of water footprint of USA and Vietnam (Textbook pg 144)

Image: Impact of an affluent lifestyle on water usage (Textbook pg 144)

Supply factors Seasonal rainfall In Singapore, the amount of rainfall is generally the same every month and the annual precipitation is more than 2,000 mm Graph: Textbook pg 145

Supply factors Seasonal rainfall In some countries, however, rainfall can vary greatly from month to month which affects the supply of fresh water available for use Example (India) High annual precipitation of more than 1,200 mm Rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the year Most rainfall is received between June and September (southwest monsoon season) Graph: Textbook pg 145

Supply factors Seasonal rainfall Example (India) More than ½ of India’s population are engaged in farming Timing and amount of rainfall are crucial for the harvesting of crops (boom or a bust for India’s economy) In 2009: Monsoon rains did not come on time Widespread drought where the sugar production was so low that India had to import sugar In 2012: Monsoon rains were below average in the first half of the season Large parts of the country (including New Delhi) experienced drought Heavy rains eventually came in August but it was too late for many rain-dependent farms

Supply factors Seasonal rainfall Irregular distribution of rainfall throughout the year in some regions will be intensified by climate change Climate change: Variation in the global climate or climatic pattern in the long run. Earth’s average temperature is predicted to rise which will cause a change in rainfall patterns and more extreme weather-related hazards such as floods and drought Suggested recap question for students: Why is the earth’s average temperature predicted to rise? - The earth’s average temperature is predicted to rise due to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Supply factors Water pollution Pollution: Introduction of substances into the natural environment (air, water, land) that results in unpleasant or damaging effects to the environment and human health Common pollutants include garbage, chemicals and waste water Can cause the water quality to drop, sometimes becoming unusable for people and unsuitable for aquatic life Supply of clean fresh water is reduced and water shortage may occur

Supply factors Water pollution Image: Textbook pg 146

Supply factors Water pollution Example (Ganges River) Largest river in India More than 400 million people live along the river (most populated river basin in the world River provides water for drinking, bathing and irrigation Also, it holds spiritual significance as it is seen as a sacred river Pollution has threatened this water resource Image: Textbook pg 147 Show students this video on India’s water crisis:

Supply factors Water pollution Example (Ganges River) Industries near the river have inadequate waste treatment facilities and dump their waste directly into the river Large concentration of leather industries in Kanpur city use large amounts of chromium and other chemicals in the leather tanning process and discharge the waste products into the river Surrounding towns also discharge a large amount of waste into the river As a result, the water has turned brown Kanpur is facing water scarcity due to the unclean water

In many places, water shortage is caused by both natural and human factors Many people spend a large proportion of their time searching for clean water There are serious consequences to lacking such an essential and precious resource! Suggested questions for students: 1. What are some serious consequences to lacking such an essential and precious resource? Death, malnutrition, famine, poor health etc. 2. Do you think Singapore in the past/currently faces such water problems? Free response 3. Do you think Singapore will be affected by such water problems in the future?

4. How does water shortage impact people and countries?
Domestic impact Increased difficulty in collecting water Water rationing Economic impact Reduced agricultural yields Increased cost of industrial production Political impact Conflict over water supply Show students this video on how people are affected when they have difficulty accessing water: Water Changes Everything —

Domestic impact Increased difficulty in collecting water 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water In the less developed countries, one in five people do not have access to safe water In most of these countries, 90 % of water is used for agriculture, leaving little for domestic use Drought can also cause wells and ponds to dry up

Domestic impact Increased difficulty in collecting water Water is scarce and people have to travel long distances to obtain it On average, women in some parts of Asia and Africa have to walk 6 km to collect water They can only bring back as much as they can carry and the water collected may be dirty Suggested question for students: What kind of disease is associated with drinking unclean water? Drinking unclean water can cause water-borne diseases such as cholera (infection of the small intestine) etc. Image: Textbook pg 131

Domestic impact Water rationing Water rationing: Making water available only at certain times of the day During the 1960s, Singapore suffered a severe drought which caused water levels in the reservoirs to be dangerously low Singapore’s water supply was under huge stress To conserve the water supply, the government imposed water rationing which affected every household in Singapore People had to queue to collect water for their daily use during the water rationing exercise Suggested questions for students: 1. Have you experienced a water rationing exercise? 2. How do you think the lives of Singaporeans were affected during the drought in the 1960s?

Economic impact Reduced agricultural yields Agriculture uses 70 % of the global fresh water supply If water supply decreases, crop yield (the amount or quantity grown) drops Less food will be produced and some people may die from starvation

Economic impact Increased cost of industrial production Cost of industrial production: The cost of producing and manufacturing goods Fresh water is needed by industries for various purposes As water constraints increase, so will the cost of industrial production

Economic impact Increased cost of industrial production Example (Power generation industry) The power generation industry relies heavily on water to cool parts of the generators In Europe and USA, droughts have caused water shortages and warmer waters As a result, during warm, dry summers in 2003, 2006 and 2009, some power plants in Europe reduced their power output as there was a lack of water to cool the generators

Economic impact Increased cost of industrial production Example (Power generation industry) Similarly, from 2007 to 2008, several power plants such as the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in the US had to cut production or shut down for a few days The cut in power production increased the price of power and affected the cost of production in other industries Image: Textbook pg 153

Economic impact Increased cost of industrial production Example (Beverage industry) Companies which produce soft drinks use a lot of water in their production Besides being the main ingredient, water is also used in other parts of the process such as rinsing, cleaning, heating and cooling 1 litre of soft drink requires at least 2.43 litres of water to produce An increase in water prices will lead to higher production costs

Political impact Conflict over water supply Conflict can arise over water resources when there is not enough water to go around On a local scale, there can be conflicts between farmers and factories over the use of water in a lake On a national or global scale, problems may arise when states or countries tap into the same water resource One country’s use of the resource could reduce the amount available to another country e.g. Mekong River Show students this video on the escalating Nile River dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia:

Political impact Conflict over water supply The Mekong River winds its way nearly 4,500 km through six countries From its source on the Tibetan Plateau, the river meanders through China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before reaching the South China Sea The river supports 60 to 70 million people in Southeast Asia and southern China Map: Textbook pges 154 and 155

Political impact Conflict over water supply With increasing demands for water, conflicts may arise among countries that share the same global ‘well’ For example: Lao PDR’s proposal to build the Xayaburi hydropower dam received strong objections from neighbouring countries as the dam will decrease the flow of water downstream Livelihoods of many who rely on the river to maintain their fisheries and farmland could be affected

5. How can Singapore avoid water shortage?
We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. Thomas Fuller, Writer Show students this video on sustainable water management in Singapore:

Water is a scarce and precious resource in Singapore Despite having high total annual rainfall of mm, there is little land to capture rainfall for use by its people and industries By looking to technology for solutions, Singapore today is a world leader in sustainable water resource management (planning and distributing water resources so that they will not be used up)

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water Public education Increase water supply Local catchment water Imported water (from Johor) NEWater Desalinated water Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water Water in Singapore is priced to reflect the scarcity of water and to cover the high cost of producing clean water Water Conservation Tax: Pricing system where an additional amount of money is charged based on total water consumption Pricing system encourages people to reduce their water consumption

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water Water is being priced higher when the consumption amount is greater Suggested question for students: How much is your water bill? Table: Textbook pg 157

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water To ensure that all Singaporeans have access to clean water, the government provides a U-Save rebate This sum of money help offset the utility bills for lower-income families Approach demonstrates that water does not need to be under-priced to ensure access for all

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water Advantages Allows people to be more mindful of their water consumption Reflects the cost of producing clean water  People can appreciate the value of clean water

Reduce water consumption Pricing of water Disadvantages For industries that use a lot of water, it increases their total cost of production which may be passed on to consumers May not affect those who can afford the higher price  May continue to use any amount of water they want

Reduce water consumption Public education Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) Scheme was started by PUB in 2009 to educate the public on water conservation through using water-efficient appliances WELS is a grading system which uses ticks to indicate the water efficiency level of a product More ticks indicate greater water efficiency

Reduce water consumption Public education Allows consumers to make informed choices when purchasing household products such as washing machines Helps public to be more aware of reducing water consumption by using more water-efficient products Image: Textbook pg 159

Reduce water consumption Public education PUB’s water-saving kit Includes a set of thimbles (a cap that can be placed on taps) with three or four holes Thimbles allow residents to control the rate of water flow from their taps Kit also comes with a set of Water Wally stickers that have messages on how to save water in homes Suggested question for students: Suggest five water-saving tips for your family.

Reduce water consumption Public education Advantages Can teach many people about the importance of water in their lives Has the potential to make lasting positive changes in people’s use of water

Reduce water consumption Public education Disadvantages Takes time to change people’s behaviour Success of public education depends on whether people want to change their behaviour

Increase water supply Local catchment water Surface catchment: Area over which rain falls and is collected Singapore is a small island without natural lakes, significant groundwater supplies, or large land areas to collect rainwater Rainwater collects in rivers, streams, drains, canals and stormwater collection ponds, and is channelled to reservoirs where it is stored

Increase water supply Local catchment water Surface catchments provide ½ of the country’s water needs There are now 17 reservoirs with the addition of Marina Reservoir, and the Serangoon and Punggol reservoirs (increase to 2/3 of the country’s land area) By 2060, PUB plans to harness water from the remaining streams near the coastline, bringing the total surface catchment area to 90 % of the total land area

Let’s try it! (Textbook pg 164):
Locate the water catchment area you are living in and identify the reservoirs which fall within this catchment. How can you help to keep our rivers and lakes clean? 3. How can Singapore collect as much rainwater as possible? Map: Textbook pges 162 and 163

Increase water supply Local catchment water Advantages Take advantage of Singapore’s high rainfall Catchment areas can also be recreational places

Increase water supply Local catchment water Image: Textbook pg 164

Increase water supply Local catchment water Disadvantages Less land is available for other uses such as housing and industry When there is little rainfall or a drought, local catchment areas are ineffective

Increase water supply Imported water In 1927, Singapore signed its first agreement with Johor to import water Pipelines were built to transport water from Johor to Singapore Currently one existing water agreement which secures Singapore’s water supply from Malaysia until 2061

Increase water supply Imported water Importing water is not a long-term solution Singapore has been working on increasing the size of its local water catchment areas More reliable water supply from non-conventional sources (NEWater and desalinated water) have been established Singapore could be self-reliant in its water supply by 2061

Increase water supply Imported water Advantages Does not require land and hence frees up the land for other uses Is a cheaper source of water compared to desalinated water or NEWater

Increase water supply Imported water Disadvantages May not be enough to meet water demands Water agreements will eventually expire and there are no guarantees of future agreements

Increase water supply NEWater Used water may be treated to become drinking water Result of clever planning and technology where fresh water can be used more than once Used water becomes a new source of water

Image: Textbook pg 166

Increase water supply NEWater Ideal for use in certain industries as it is purer than tap water Currently, supplied mainly to wafer fabrication plants, electronics factories and power plants A percentage of NEWater is mixed with raw water from the reservoirs and treated at the waterworks Currently meets 30 % of Singapore’s water demand The existing plants will be expanded by 2020 where it is expected to meet 40 % of Singapore’s water needs and 50 % of Singapore’s future water demand by 2060

Increase water supply NEWater Public was concerned about the idea of treated used water when it was first launched Public’s confidence have since been strengthen Public is being educated through the NEWater Visitor Centre Can view the technology used to produce NEWater and sample bottled NEWater

Increase water supply NEWater Advantages Not dependent on rainfall because it is produced from used water Ultra-pure and of high quality, which the wafer fabrication industry in Singapore has found suitable for their use

Increase water supply NEWater Disadvantages Expensive to produce Public may find it difficult to fully accept this new technology of obtaining water from used water due to lack of knowledge about the treatment process

Increase water supply Desalinated water Desalination: Process of removing dissolved salts (such as sodium chloride) and other minerals from water Step 1: Seawater goes through a pre-treatment process where suspended particles are removed Step 2: Reverse osmosis technology is employed Step 3: The desalinated water is blended with treated water before it is supplied to homes and industries The two desalination plants (SingSpring and Tuaspring) aim to meet 30 % of Singapore’s water demand by 2060

Increase water supply Desalinated water Advantages Independent of rainfall and can be used to supplement water supply during a long dry spell Attractive since Singapore is an island and is surrounded by a limitless supply of seawater

Increase water supply Desalinated water Disadvantages Very expensive to produce as the production is energy-intensive Large amounts of chemicals and salt solutions are produced during the desalination process and if they are improperly disposed of into the oceans, it may result in pollution

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources Individual Everyone has a part to play in conserving water and keeping waterways clean in Singapore We can help by keeping drains and canals in our catchment areas clean Protection of waterways is only possible when the community values water

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme Programme was launched by PUB in 2006 to promote the enjoyment of Singapore’s waters Parks have been built near water bodies for all to enjoy Selected reservoirs and rivers have been opened for various recreational activities and water sports such as kayaking, wakeboarding, rowing and sailing

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources ‘Friends of Waters’ programme Outreach programme by PUB which encourages the public to care for our waterways Schools, private and nongovernmental organisations can be a ‘Friend of Water’ when they adopt a waterway, conduct cleanups and help monitor its cleanliness Contribute to raising awareness about protection of our water resources

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources ABC Waters Learning Trail Consists of a series of outdoor, place-based trails where students can learn about Singapore’s water story, heritage of water sites and unique design features that help cleanse water naturally Students can also volunteer as a trail leader to help raise awareness about water management and appreciation for water resources

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources Advantages A cost-effective method to ensure clean water When everyone plays their part to keep waterways clean, everyone in turn enjoys a clean and healthy environment

Conserve through protecting water resources Protection of water resources Disadvantages Dependent on effective public education Dependent on the cooperation of everybody

Conclusion Water is essential for living. There is an urgent need to protect our world’s water resources to ensure that they do not run out and that everybody can get clean, fresh water. All of us have a role to play in conserving and valuing our water resources while we enjoy using it. We can share what we have learnt with family and friends, practise good water-saving habits and keep the waterways clean. Suggested question for students: Discuss how you, as an individual, intend to conserve water and/or keep the waterways clean.

Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?

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Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?

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Presentation on theme: "Water Supply Will Our Taps Run Dry?"— Presentation transcript:

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