JEDDAH/GRANTS PASS, Oregon – Singapore, despite minimal natural water sources, has become the world's leader in water recycling. With the world experiencing global drought, rapid population growth, and widespread fresh water shortages, there is much to be learned from the “Singapore Model.” Circle of Blue spokesperson Brett Walton said in an interview on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water radio show which was published on Waterworld website Tuesday. Circle of Blue is a Traverse City, Mich., based organization bringing together journalists, scientists and designers to compile and distribute information about global water resources. In a separate report by Water Resource Group, it said that by 2030, under an average economic growth scenario and if no efficiency gains are assumed, global water requirements would grow from 4,500 billion m3 today (or 4.5 thousand cubic kilometers) to 6,900 billion m3. This a full 40 percent above current accessible, reliable supply (including return flows, and taking into account that a portion of supply should be reserved for environmental requirements). This global figure is really the aggregation of a very large number of local gaps, some of which show an even worse situation: one-third of the population, concentrated in developing countries, will live in basins where this deficit is larger than 50 percent. The quantity represented as accessible, reliable, environmentally sustainable supply—a much smaller quantity than the absolute raw water available in nature—is the amount that truly matters in sizing the water challenge. The drivers of this resource challenge are fundamentally tied to economic growth and development. Agriculture accounts for approximately 3,100 billion m3, or 71 percent of global water withdrawals today, and without efficiency gains will increase to 4,500 billion m3 by 2030 (a slight decline to 65 percent of global water withdrawals). The water challenge is therefore closely tied to food provision and trade. Centers of agricultural demand, also where some of the poorest subsistence farmers live, are primarily in India (projected withdrawals of 1,195 billion m3 in 2030), Sub-Saharan Africa (820 billion m3), and China (420 billion m3). Industrial withdrawals account for 16 percent of today's global demand, growing to a projected 22 percent in 2030. The growth will come primarily from China (where industrial water demand in 2030 is projected at 265 billion m3, driven mainly by power generation), which alone accounts for 40 percent of the additional industrial demand worldwide. Demand for water for domestic use will decrease as a percentage of total, from 14 percent today to 12 percent in 2030, although it will grow in specific basins, especially in emerging markets. According to Walton, because of the Singapore's farsighted water strategy, the nation is well on the way to achieving water independence for its five million inhabitants – despite a land area of only 272 square miles and the world's second densest population (after Monaco and just before Hong Kong). The Singapore water model won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award. Singapore formerly obtained 50 percent of its water from nearby Malaysia. Because of the success of the current water strategy, the country did not renew a 50-year water contract with Malaysia that expired in 2011 (after failed negotiations in 2002). Singapore projects 100 percent water independence by 2061, when a separate 99-year water contract with Malaysia expires, even though demand will have doubled by then. The Singapore water model has three components: 1. Improved rainwater catchment. Singapore will soon have 17 reservoirs to capture rainwater runoff from roofs, streets, sidewalks, open land and streams. To further slow and capture runoff, the city is attempting to reforest its few open areas. This program will eventually provide 20 percent of the island's water. 2. Desalination of seawater. This is well-established technology, with high energy and labor costs. The cost is not prohibitive, however, and is slowly coming down. Singapore completed its first desalination plant in 2005, has another under construction and plans two more. This program will eventually provide 30 percent of the island's water. 3. Water recycling. In addition to normal sewage treatment, Singapore is constructing five “NEWater” treatment facilities, where treated wastewater is further purified to drinkable (potable) standards for human consumption. Most NEWater is currently used for industrial cooling but could safely be introduced into the drinking water supply prior to final purification. NEWater is gaining increasing public acceptance and will eventually supply up to 50 percent of Singapore's water needs. The city is also improving its sewer and sanitation system to get waste water to processing plants more efficiently. Sharon Kleyne and Brett Walton agreed that water conservation – persuading the public to use less – is critical to any water recycling program. According to Walton, Singapore is one of the most water conserving and water conscious cities in the world. – SG
