Singapore International Water Week 2010 is open for business.

Tonight I was treated to the opening speeches from Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and the Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

The highlight was the unveiling of a new PUB publication.  Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy – Meeting our water needs for the next 50 years underscores Singapore’s water strategies and long-term plans to meet growing water demand.  That’s long-term sustainable planning if you ask me.

The document is aimed to be an easy-to-read to help residents in Singapore understand the real value of water.  To value every drop.

Here are some key points I scribbled down:

•    PUB expects the water demand to double in the next 50 years, 70% of this demand coming from the non-domestic sector;

•    NEWater capacity is planned to be tripled by 2060; this will mean NEWater will meet 50% of future water demand if needed

•    Similarly, desalination capacity is set to be ramped up 10 times to meet at least 30% of Singapore’s long term water demand

•    A second plant is in the pipeline too; the Deputy Minister emphasized research and efforts to reduce the energy consumption and lower overall treatment costs

•    The three reservoirs at Marina, Punggol and Serangoon could be the country’s last estuarine reservoirs; treatment of water of varying salinities by new technology will help Singapore expand its water catchment area to a staggering 90% of the entire island

A beautifully choreographed dance performance ended the ceremony. Images were created by a hand brushing sand across a screen

The opening ceremony also marked the opening of the World Cities Summit which takes place alongside SIWW every two years.

I found this initiative intriguing and would love to learn more.

•    Punggol will become the first eco-town for the tropics and will become a “living lab” for energy and water solutions

Posted by Keith Morrison