An island country spread over just 728 sq.km, with a population of just over 5 million, with one of the highest population density of 7800/sq.km, a multicultural, multiracial, pluralistic society, a hub of finance, innovation and technology, Singapore is nothing short of a pocket sized powerhouse. And despite the fact that it lacks natural resources more than any other country in the world, it’s technological prowess has made life much easier for its people.
Water is one such resource which is scarce and has to be imported from neighbouring Malaysia under a trading agreement which expires in 2061. To reduce its dependency on import of water and to cater to a growing population, Singapore has been trying to use or re-use every drop of water and in this endeavour has been able to recycle sewage water( including faeces ) into perfectly pure drinking water, through their NEWater Plants. So effective is the the technology that almost 40% of the nation’s water requirements are being met through their 5 NEWater Plants.
Their water management strategy is precise and consists of 3 parts mainly to collect every drop of water, then re-use water endlessly and then desaline sea water into drinking water. This strategy has also helped reduce maritime pollution since only a small amount of treated water is disposed into the sea. This is in complete contrast to the other countries in the world and as per UN estimates almost 80% of the world’s waste water flows back into the ecosystem without being treated, leading to several diseases and health issues.
What Singapore is doing needs to be replicated across the world not only to address water requirement issues but also to ensure safe and healthy drinking water. Reduction in maritime pollution too is a major benefit arising out their water treatment technology.
Who would have imagined that human waste would one day be treated and turned into pure drinking water. But Singapore has done it. Kudos to this nation for pushing innovation and investing in technology in a big way thus ensuring a better future for their people and also showing the way to the world.
So let’s be creative and innovate for a better future.
Applause for Singapore.
Very creative n innovative 👌
Absolutely