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
its ok wen u r drinking bladder fluid
sure or not. Nvm 2061 then worry. But we would have all died by then :)
aiyah...just invade Johor lah....................good what................
free water...................free vegetables and food..................
more land.................
USA will support us one....................Zionist kaki mah...............