Singapore is one of the few nation which goes in the front league always. Only few countries in the world operates in that way.
This story is one among that. As you know Singapore got separated from Malaysia in the year 1965. Before that it was a self governed state under Malaysia. During those times, in particular during the years 1961,1962 they had agreements on water supply from Johor.
The 1961 agreement signed between Johor govt and Singapore govt for the access of the water from Tebrau and Scudai rivers. The agreement is valid for 50 years till 2011, which is already expired without renewed.
Another agreement which was signed in 1962 is to get the Johor water for 99 years till 2061, which gives the right to Singapore to draw 250 million gallons of water per day at the cost of 3 cents for 1000 gallons. In return Johor has the right to get maximum of 2% of the treated water back from Singapore.
Though there are some disputes going between the two governments, they are getting settled under mutually agreed way.
One important thing to note here is that the first agreement already expired, without being renewed. The second agreement is only valid for another 40 years. What will happen next? How Singapore is going to satisfy its own water needs? Do you think the govt didn’t prepare for it? No the government is already preparing for it. They started this several years ago itself.
Singapore already initiated a national master-plan focusing on four тАЬnational tapsтАЭ:
Catching rainfall in reservoirs
Recycling water
Desalinating water
Imports
Singapore now have 17 reservoirs in which several constructed after 1970s. Singapore enlarged the water catchment area to two third of Singapore overall area. It is a vast achievement. It can’t be achieved over a day. It will take years to establish such infrastructure. If we look into Singapore drainage system, it is one of the best in the world. Without wasting the rain water they bring every possible drops to the reservoir.
As the city state water demand is fully managed by the govt, it has well established water transport facility to every households. It is well connected. The number of house without water pipeline is almost 0. The other hidden information in that is they have the waste water collecting infrastructure as well. Through that every house waste water is collected back and sent to the desalinating units.
In the desalination units the water getting treated again and reused for industrial purposes. Though the water is fully potable, to get public acceptance the govt is taking several initiatives. As of now only a portion of the treated water is mixed with reservoir water and get treated for drinking purpose. But the govt has plans to increase that amount.
Most of reservoirs are made as natural parks. So that people can go for their activities like jogging etc and in parallel they can understand the value of the water and the environment. As per the government forecast even if the water treaty is not getting renewed Singapore will be self sufficient for its water by 2061.
