Singapore Flashcards
1
Q
What is the environment like in Singapore?
A
- High rainfall and evaporation rate
- results in limited collection and storage of rainwater
2
Q
What does the NEWater scheme consist of?
A
- Recycling of local catchment water
- Imports 40% of water from Malaysia
- Utilises advanced membrane + UV treatment facilities
- 4 plants planned, currently meet 30% of needs
- rise planned to 60% in 2060
- Use of desalination plants
3
Q
How does Singapore manage water use?
A
- Water tariffs and water conservation taxes increase rapidly once consumption exceeds 40m^3 every month
- deters excess use (similar concept as smart meters)
- Singaporeans feel incentivised to fit low use taps and toilets
- Used water is treated and used for industrial uses or AC
- Treated used water is mixed with reservoir water for drinking use
4
Q
How is water demand met in Singapore?
A
- Water recycling in addition to desalination satisfies 25-30% of demand
- Marina Reservoir provides 10% of national needs
- 2/3 of island serves as catchment area
- 17 reservoirs in total
- plans to increase capacity of desalination so that it meets 30% of Singapores needs by 2060
- Changi Water Reclamation plant recycles water from sewer system
5
Q
What is special about the Singapore Water Authority?
A
- Well paid
- Director paid $700 000 per year
- Are much less hesitant in involving private companies when needed
- ensures that they do not do what politicians want to be done
- rather they cater to needs of city
- increased efficiency of solutions and projects
6
Q
How has Singapore economically benefitted from its water management techniques?
A
- Nanyang Technological university now has 3 water-related units
- ensures domestic research continues, allowing trade of these technologies and ideas in future
- Singapore water industry is home to over 50 companies
- Companies are being awarded contracts globally (Qatar, Algeria etc.)
7
Q
What is water conservation?
A
- Techniques to try and reduce demand so water resources go further
- Can also ensure supply remains for future generations
- Eg. grey water recycling, metering, higher pricing, groundwater recharge schemes
8
Q
What are the problems with desalination?
A
- Very costly to make and run
- 71% of plants are in high income countries
- Brine is a byproduct of desalination process
- reduces oxygen content of water and releases chemicals harmful to sea life
- Brine cannot be managed on a large scale
- Is not necessary if water management can be improved
9
Q
What are the positives of desalination plants?
A
- 97% of all water is salty
- unlocks large reserves of water
- Brine can be used to grow plants for metal recovery
- albeit on a smaller scale
- Can be powered with green energy
- solar power allows use off the grid
- green energy is so cheap that is competitive with getting water from rivers
