MEWR - Conserve, Value and Enjoy

Conserve

In addition to developing and diversifying water resources, water conservation is also key to ensuring a sustainable water supply. Through our various water conservation initiatives, Singapore has managed to reduce domestic water consumption from 172 litres per capita per day in 1995 to 157 litres in 2007. These water conservation schemes include:

10-Litre Challenge
The 10-Litre Challenge was introduced in 2006 to encourage Singaporeans to reduce their daily water consumption by 10 litres. Besides introducing useful tips on how to save water, the programme also includes other initiatives such as water volunteer groups, a labelling scheme for water-efficient appliances, and promoting the use of dual-flush low-capacity flushing cisterns.
Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS)
In Oct 2006, the voluntary water efficiency labelling scheme was launched as part of the 10-Litre Challenge. As of Mar 2008, more than 500 products have been labelled, from taps to shower heads to washing machines. This allows consumers to make informed choices prior to purchase. In view of the favourable response, the labelling scheme will be made mandatory from July 2009. For a start, taps, flushing cisterns and urinals must come with water efficiency labels. The mandatory scheme may be extended to showerheads and washing machines in future, when more water efficient models are available.
10% Challenge
The non-domestic sector accounts for half the water consumption in Singapore. On Feb 2008, the 10% Challenge was announced to reduce the water consumption of non-domestic users by up to 10% if not more. This challenge stands to benefit users, as reductions in water consumption means overall greater cost savings. Over the next 3 to 5 years, PUB will engage the different sectors to help them lower their water consumption, starting off with government and commercial buildings, hotels and schools.

Value and Enjoy

Singapore has numerous waterways and canals within close proximity to the heartlands. This presents great opportunities for the population to enjoy our water resources, increasing our overall quality of life.

3P Engagement

While PUB is responsible for the management of waterways, the involvement of the public, private and people sector is crucial in ensuring the cleanliness and health of our valuable waterway network.

ABC Waters Programme
Singapore has long enjoyed a reputation for being a clean and green city. And now, with the establishment of PUB's new ABC Waters programme, the national water agency will do a lot more to beautify our island city. This is in line with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long's vision to turn Singapore into a "City of Gardens and Water". Under the programme, our water bodies will be transformed into a feature of Singapore's landscape. Singapore will be divided into three sectors and watershed managers with the relevant expertise and experience will be employed to take care of the water bodies in each sector. They will not only oversee the physical aspects of the waterways and reservoirs, but also contribute ideas to enhance and redevelop them, engaging 3P (public, private and people) partners in the process.
Friends of Water
Friends of Water is a programme that recognises individuals and organisations that have contributed towards raising awareness about water and what it takes to sustain Singapore's water supply. The aim is to develop numerous allies and guardians of Singapore's waters.
Watermark awards
The Watermark Award is an award of higher recognition for Friends of Water who go the extra mile in raising awareness about water issues and what it takes to sustain Singapore's water supply. The Watermark Award was introduced for the first time in 2007 to recognise significant contributions by Friends of Water towards Singapore's water sustainability and raise the profile of water contributions while at the same time instilling among Singaporeans the importance of conserving, valuing and enjoying our water resources.

Pollution Control

Pollution source control measures and active enforcement are key to keeping our waterways clean.

Private Sewers Rehabilitation Programme
Singapore has over 3,400 km of public sewers carrying used water. In the Marina Reservoir catchment alone, there are about 1,000 km of public sewers and another 1,000 km of private sewers. It is important to ensure that our intricate sewer network retains its integrity and does contaminate our canals, waterways and the reservoirs. Since 1996, some $270 million has been used to rehabilitate aged and leaking public sewers island-wide.
Earth Control Measures
While our rivers and waterways are clean most of the time, some of them turn brown during and after a rain. As the water ends up in our reservoirs, the presence of silt will make the water more difficult and costly to treat. Silt water also affects the aesthetics of our waterways and water bodies, hampering water-based activities. Thus, earth control measures, especially for construction sites, are being put in place to improve the quality of storm runoffs into our waterways.
Industry Pollution Control Measures
Rainwater runoff from industrial premises affects the water quality in our waterways and reservoirs. While proper land use planning and the provision of flatted factories connected to sewers help keep our waters clean, industries can also do their part by practising good housekeeping practices. These include measures such as storing industrial goods under storage and performing their trade within their premises so that sullage water enters the sewers instead of the drains.
Gross Pollutants Traps
Gross pollutants traps are installed in various locations to keep our waters clean by trapping debris and litter. Today, PUB collects and removes about 15 tonnes of debris and litter daily from floatbooms at various river mouths. The public is urged not to litter as this can pollute our drains, canals and waterways. Litter from as far as Ang Mo Kio can end up in the Marina Bay. Be it in the city where we are converting the Marina Bay into a freshwater reservoir, or in the residential heartlands where we hope to bring waterfront living to HDB estates, everyone should play their part to keep our waters clean.


	Conserve In addition to developing and diversifying water resources, water conservation is also key to ensuring a sustainable water supply. Through our various water conservation initiatives, Singapore has managed to reduce domestic water consumption from 172 litres per capita per day in 1995 to 157 litres in 2007. These water conservation schemes include: 10-Litre Challenge The 10-Litre Challenge was introduced in 2006 to encourage Singaporeans to reduce their daily water consumption by 10 litres. Besides introducing useful tips on how to save water, the programme also includes other initiatives such as water volunteer groups, a labelling scheme for water-efficient appliances, and promoting the use of dual-flush low-capacity flushing cisterns. Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) In Oct 2006, the voluntary water efficiency labelling scheme was launched as part of the 10-Litre Challenge. As of Mar 2008, more than 500 products have been labelled, from taps to shower heads to washing machines. This allows consumers to make informed choices prior to purchase. In view of the favourable response, the labelling scheme will be made mandatory from July 2009. For a start, taps, flushing cisterns and urinals must come with water efficiency labels. The mandatory scheme may be extended to showerheads and washing machines in future, when more water efficient models are available. 10% Challenge The non-domestic sector accounts for half the water consumption in Singapore. On Feb 2008, the 10% Challenge was announced to reduce the water consumption of non-domestic users by up to 10% if not more. This challenge stands to benefit users, as reductions in water consumption means overall greater cost savings. Over the next 3 to 5 years, PUB will engage the different sectors to help them lower their water consumption, starting off with government and commercial buildings, hotels and schools. Value and Enjoy Singapore has numerous waterways and canals within close proximity to the heartlands. This presents great opportunities for the population to enjoy our water resources, increasing our overall quality of life. 3P Engagement While PUB is responsible for the management of waterways, the involvement of the public, private and people sector is crucial in ensuring the cleanliness and health of our valuable waterway network. ABC Waters Programme Singapore has long enjoyed a reputation for being a clean and green city. And now, with the establishment of PUB's new ABC Waters programme, the national water agency will do a lot more to beautify our island city. This is in line with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long's vision to turn Singapore into a "City of Gardens and Water". Under the programme, our water bodies will be transformed into a feature of Singapore's landscape. Singapore will be divided into three sectors and watershed managers with the relevant expertise and experience will be employed to take care of the water bodies in each sector. They will not only oversee the physical aspects of the waterways and reservoirs, but also contribute ideas to enhance and redevelop them, engaging 3P (public, private and people) partners in the process. Friends of Water Friends of Water is a programme that recognises individuals and organisations that have contributed towards raising awareness about water and what it takes to sustain Singapore's water supply. The aim is to develop numerous allies and guardians of Singapore's waters. Watermark awards The Watermark Award is an award of higher recognition for Friends of Water who go the extra mile in raising awareness about water issues and what it takes to sustain Singapore's water supply. The Watermark Award was introduced for the first time in 2007 to recognise significant contributions by Friends of Water towards Singapore's water sustainability and raise the profile of water contributions while at the same time instilling among Singaporeans the importance of conserving, valuing and enjoying our water resources. Pollution Control Pollution source control measures and active enforcement are key to keeping our waterways clean. Private Sewers Rehabilitation Programme Singapore has over 3,400 km of public sewers carrying used water. In the Marina Reservoir catchment alone, there are about 1,000 km of public sewers and another 1,000 km of private sewers. It is important to ensure that our intricate sewer network retains its integrity and does contaminate our canals, waterways and the reservoirs. Since 1996, some $270 million has been used to rehabilitate aged and leaking public sewers island-wide. Earth Control Measures While our rivers and waterways are clean most of the time, some of them turn brown during and after a rain. As the water ends up in our reservoirs, the presence of silt will make the water more difficult and costly to treat. Silt water also affects the aesthetics of our waterways and water bodies, hampering water-based activities. Thus, earth control measures, especially for construction sites, are being put in place to improve the quality of storm runoffs into our waterways. Industry Pollution Control Measures Rainwater runoff from industrial premises affects the water quality in our waterways and reservoirs. While proper land use planning and the provision of flatted factories connected to sewers help keep our waters clean, industries can also do their part by practising good housekeeping practices. These include measures such as storing industrial goods under storage and performing their trade within their premises so that sullage water enters the sewers instead of the drains. Gross Pollutants Traps Gross pollutants traps are installed in various locations to keep our waters clean by trapping debris and litter. Today, PUB collects and removes about 15 tonnes of debris and litter daily from floatbooms at various river mouths. The public is urged not to litter as this can pollute our drains, canals and waterways. Litter from as far as Ang Mo Kio can end up in the Marina Bay. Be it in the city where we are converting the Marina Bay into a freshwater reservoir, or in the residential heartlands where we hope to bring waterfront living to HDB estates, everyone should play their part to keep our waters clean.