Geography EYE Essay

1. Improving water quality — What is the strategy about?

Singapore improves water quality through laws, drainage systems and the ABC Waters Programme.

1. Improving water quality — Strength(s) + Example(s)

Helps reduce pollution and improve runoff quality; ABC Waters also creates usable community spaces.

1. Improving water quality — Example: ABC Waters Programme

PUB launched the ABC Waters Programme in 2006 to improve water quality and integrate waterways with their surroundings.

1. Improving water quality — Example: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

The Kallang River at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is a flagship ABC Waters project.

1. Improving water quality — Limitation(s) + Example(s)

ABC Waters features need regular monitoring and maintenance to remain effective.

1. Improving water quality — Sustainability

Time-sustainable because it combines water-quality improvement with long-term urban planning, but maintenance is needed.

2. Reducing water consumption — What is the strategy about?

Singapore reduces demand through water-saving habits, pricing and efforts to improve water efficiency.

2. Reducing water consumption — Strength(s) + Example(s)

Encourages households to conserve water; more than 96% of households use below 40 m³ of water monthly.

2. Reducing water consumption — Example: 40 m³ threshold

More than 96% of Singapore households use less than 40 m³ of water per month.

2. Reducing water consumption — Example: 2025 consumption

Average household water consumption was 141 litres per person per day in 2025.

2. Reducing water consumption — Limitation(s) + Example(s)

Water demand remains high and is expected to grow, especially in the non-domestic sector.

2. Reducing water consumption — Sustainability

Long-term conservation is important because Singapore's total water demand is expected to almost double by 2065.

3. Improving water technologies — What is the strategy about?

Singapore invests in technologies such as NEWater and desalination to diversify and strengthen water supply.

3. Improving water technologies — Strength(s) + Example(s)

NEWater provides a weather-resilient source and recycles treated used water into high-grade water.

3. Improving water technologies — Example: NEWater process

NEWater uses membrane treatment, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection.

3. Improving water technologies — Example: NEWater use

NEWater is mainly used for industrial purposes and can replenish reservoirs during dry periods.

3. Improving water technologies — Example: desalination

Desalination uses seawater to provide a weather-resilient source during periods of low rainfall.

3. Improving water technologies — Limitation(s) + Example(s)

Desalination is energy-intensive and expensive, while advanced water technologies require significant investment.

3. Improving water technologies — Sustainability

Highly sustainable for water security because NEWater and desalination reduce reliance on rainfall and imported water.

4. Importing water — What is the strategy about?

Singapore imports water from the Johor River in Malaysia under the 1962 Water Agreement.

4. Importing water — Strength(s) + Example(s)

Provides a major external water source and helps Singapore meet its water needs.

4. Importing water — Example: 250 million gallons

Singapore can draw up to 250 million gallons of water per day from the Johor River.

4. Importing water — Example: 2061 agreement

The 1962 Water Agreement expires in 2061.

4. Importing water — Limitation(s) + Example(s)

Dependence on an external source creates vulnerability because the agreement is time-limited.

4. Importing water — Sustainability

Useful as part of a diversified supply, but Singapore has developed NEWater and desalination to strengthen long-term water security.