The Ring at Mount Doom

Sources of Singapore’s water supply are: rainfall which takes up 30% in total, importing from Malaysia which will end at the year 2011, desalination and recycling which is denoted by NEWater.

To reduce the reliance on foreign water supply and eventually become self sufficient, Singapore  came up with the idea of NEWater. But in fact the technic is not new. Recycling of wasted water had been done by the US for 2 decades. In Singapore, there now 4 plants first of which was opened in 2003. Some people wonder whether it’s worth building NEWater plants rather than desalination. According to current technology, the NEWater’s cost is lower than desalination.

NEWater is reported to be cleaner than PUB water NEWater has been analysed based on WHO and USEPA Drinking Water Guidelines. It has no adverse health effects on people. The main barrier is psychological acceptance because NEWater is treated from toilet water.

NEWater is now mostly used by direct non-potable purpose by industries, commercial buildings, etc. Since NEWater is cleaner than PUB water, industries prefer to use it to improve efficiency. And NEWater dosenot change water conservation tax so it’s cost-competitive.

With the fifth plant to be built at Changi in the year 2010, NEWater will be able to supply 30% of Singapore’s need. And the amount of NEWater being introduce to raw water reservoirs will be increased progressively to about 2.5% of total daily water consumption by 2011 from 1% of  now.

Even though NEWater is not widely accepted as potable water, but it’s contribution on Singapore’s diversity water resources is not to be forgot.