The Four National Taps of Singapore: A Holistic Approach to Water Resources Management from Drainage to Drinking Water

• DOI: 10.14796/jwmm.c375
• Publication Date: 2015-01-14T15:06:08Z
• Authors: Kim Irvine; Lloyd Chua; ; Hans S. Eikass
• Keywords: Sewerage

Water resources in Singapore are managed following the principles of a closed loop hydrologic cycle by one agency, Public Utility Board (PUB), which promotes its management philosophy through Four National Taps program.The four national taps are: water from local catchment areas; imported (from Malaysia); reused (known as NEWater); and desalinated water.Given uncertainty imports, remaining three have become increasingly important this paper begins with general overview innovative programs implemented PUB support these taps.Stormwater runoff is captured two-thirds Singapore's land area stored reservoirs for subsequent use.Stormwater an component tap extensive low impact development (LID) implementation has priority ABC (Active, Beautiful, Clean) Waters Program.Examples several projects discussed.NEWater currently supplies 30% country's demand projected to increase 50% 2060.NEWater plants take treated wastewater additional steps microfiltration, reverse osmosis ultraviolet treatment use primarily industry, although portion also blended into municipal reservoirs.Singapore's single desalination plant meets 10% demand, second be completed 2013 that will more than double production.Also discussed results recently pilot related stormwater including testing E. coli high density residential areas, blind taste test survey on acceptance NEWater, Singaporean understanding about issues.