Pint-Sized Powerhouse: Water Policy in Singapore

Singapore: A sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia, not only has it managed its port well, it has total control over its waterways and water usage. Plagued initially by drought, floods and water pollution, the innovative and resourceful nation has since developed a robust system of water collection, storage and usage. The supply comes from four different sources: water from local catchments or reservoirs, imported water (from reservoirs built in Malaysia), NEWater (high-grade reclaimed and sewage water) and desalinated water. Their knowledge, technology and infrastructure for water desalination — which is the collection of seawater and turning it into potable water — is highly sought after in countries with water shortage issues, especially in the Middle East. Two thirds of the country's surface area are classified as partly protected catchment areas with restrictions on land use, so that rainwater can be collected. Singapore's total water loss a year amounts to less than 5 percent of its total water supply. This includes leaks, metering errors and other minor forms of water loss.