Geography IGCSE - Singapore Water

Singapore location

island city state in Southeast Asia with no natural lakes or rivers

Singapore population

6 million

Singapore daily usage of water

400 million gallons of water per day

BP1 (Water shortage)

Singapore uses 400 million gallons of water per day ➝ demand split between domestic + industrial users ➝ as population + income rise ➝ water used more for sanitation, air-cooling + manufacturing ➝ increasing consumption places continuous pressure on rainfall-based resources ➝ cannot naturally recharge fast enough

BP2 (Water shortage)

About 40% of Singapore’s supply comes from the Johor River under the 1962 Water Agreement ➝ political disputes or environmental stress in Johor ➝ could interrupt flow before the agreement expires in 2061 ➝ dependency leaves Singapore vulnerable to external decisions ➝ makes shortages a geopolitical risk

BP3 (Water shortage)

NEWater production uses reverse osmosis ➝ energy-intensive ➝ as energy costs increase, producing clean water becomes more expensive ➝ less sustainable ➝ limits how much treated water can be expanded without raising emissions or bills

BP1 (how they get water supply)

Rainwater falling on 2/3 of the island is channelled through drains + canals into 17 reservoirs ➝ e.g. Marina Barrage + Bedok Reservoir ➝ collect + store stormwater during heavy rainfall for later treatment ➝ system allows Singapore to maximise its limited land by turning the entire city into a water-catchment area

BP2 (how they get water supply)

Singapore imports up to 250 million gallons per day from the Johor River under the 1962 agreement ➝ provides a vital + steady source of freshwater ➝ creates dependence on Malaysia’s political cooperation ➝ risk has driven Singapore to invest heavily in domestic alternatives before the agreement expires in 2061

BP3 (how they get water supply)

NEWater uses microfiltration, reverse osmosis + UV disinfection to recycle wastewater into ultra-clean water ➝ 5 desalination plants convert seawater into potable water, ensuring supply even during droughts or import disruptions ➝ innovations reduce vulnerability ➝ support Singapore’s goal of full self-sufficiency by 2062

BP1 (water supply problems)

Singapore has no natural lakes or aquifers, relying entirely on rainfall and artificial reservoirs ➝ rainwater falling on 2/3 of the island is collected through drains + canals into 17 reservoirs ➝ e.g. Marina Barrage, yet land scarcity limits further expansion ➝ as urbanisation spreads ➝ competition for space reduces potential sites for new catchment or storage infrastructure

BP2 (water supply problems)

Extended dry spells lower reservoir levels ➝ heavy tropical rainfall causes inland flooding that disrupts collection ➝ extremes make storage unpredictable + management difficult ➝ problem worsens when 40% of supply still depends on imports from Malaysia ➝ can also face rainfall shortages

BP3 (water supply problems)

NEWater production uses reverse osmosis ➝  energy-intensive process that raises costs emissions ➝ desalination also produces concentrated brine that must be safely disposed of ➝ systems are costly to maintain ➝ makes long-term sustainability harder for a small, land-scarce nation