Everyone has a part to play in water conservation: DPM Tharman

SINGAPORE - With the prolonged dry spell and rise in daily water demand, it is important to make adjustments like cutting down on non-essential water usage, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said today (March 15) at one of the five fringe activities celebrating World Water Day in Singapore.

Mr Tharman said it is also important to ensure stable water supply, but emphasised that everyone must make a determined effort to conserve water.

He added: “PUB is increasing the use of NEWater and desalinated water because there is less local water catchment. These two taps don’t depend so much on the weather. So even during a dry spell, we have NEWater and desalinated water.

“But to make NEWater and desalinated water, we need energy. And, fuel is needed, electricity has to be generated. So we can’t over-depend on NEWater and desalinated water in the long run.”

To mark World Water Day, residents took part in a two-kilometre mass walk.

The “I am a Young Water Ambassador” card was also launched for primary schools. Students will be rewarded with a badge after they complete a series of water-related activities.

A water droplet display created using used plastic bottles was put together by the Taman Jurong T-Net club and four schools - Bukit View Secondary, Fuhua Primary, Swiss Cottage Secondary and Westwood Secondary. The aim is to reduce the consumption of bottled water.

Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu, who was also at the event, said: “We are always gearing up our alternative supplies. As you know, we have been increasing our injection of NEWater into our reservoir just to keep our reservoir level at a certain (level). But we also like to urge the various users to start thinking about how they can play their part.

“For example, we are asking the industry users to help us step up on water saving and even the town councils have started to do their part. We have written to all the town councils to urge them to start thinking about reducing water usage.

“Also to all the Singaporeans out there... we will have to think about how we can reduce excessive use (of water), anything that can help us minimise waste, stretch the resource longer and benefit more people.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA