Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Singapore World Water Day 2019 Opening Ceremony

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources

Mr Albert Chua, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources

Mr Ng Joo Hee, Chief Executive, PUB

Good morning. I am happy to join you again this year to launch the Singapore World Water Day 2019. It is heartening to see more than 3,000 representatives from grassroots, corporations and schools gathered here to advocate the water cause.

World Water Day is held annually on 22 March, a day designated by the United Nations (UN) to highlight the importance of water sustainability internationally. In Singapore, we celebrate this occasion for the whole of March, rallying our community to join the cause and show appreciation for water. 

One of the Sustainable Development Goals under the UN’s 2030 Agenda is having access to clean water and sanitation. Singapore is doing well on this front – our tap water is well within the World Health Organisation’s drinking water guidelines. We have even gone a step further to transform Singapore’s drains, canals and reservoirs into streams, rivers and lakes through the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme. Where we are right now is a great example. Today, the Marina Barrage is not only a source of water supply and flood control, but also a lifestyle destination where Singaporeans can come together to appreciate water.

Singaporeans are familiar with our water story, and how water is critical for our survival. Through hard work, perseverance and ingenuity, we have overcome our physical limitation of not having sufficient land to collect and store enough rain water for our use. With the four national taps in place – our reservoirs, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water, we have been able to supply clean and adequate water for a growing nation.

In spite of this, water security remains a challenge. While we have diversified sources of water, imported water is still a major water source. Meanwhile, with increasing demand and economic growth, our total water consumption is projected to double by 2060.

We are also experiencing the effects of climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns, such as extreme weather from prolonged dry spells, may hit us badly and bring about a water crisis, if we do not plan ahead. This is why PUB has been investing in water infrastructure to strengthen our water supply and to make it more resilient.

Over the past year, PUB has completed several key infrastructure projects such as the Stamford Detention Tank, the Stamford Diversion Canal and the Tuas Desalination Plant. Other mega projects like the Jurong Island Desalination Plant, Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase 2 and Tuas Nexus are also in progress.

We have been continuously reviewing and upgrading existing water infrastructure – from drains and canals to water treatment plants, to ensure that they can meet future needs. These are costly but necessary investments, as they will take us well through the next 50 years.

The Government will continue to plan ahead and invest in water infrastructure, to ensure a secure, diversified and sustainable water supply. However, this will not be sustainable if individuals do not play our part to use water wisely.

The Cape Town water crisis is an example. The South African city has been on the brink of a severe water crisis since 2015. The local government had in fact started infrastructure planning to accommodate rising water demand as the population expanded, but was unable to keep pace with the growing water use. The situation worsened due to extreme drought that exceeded planning norms. This is a sobering reminder to us that infrastructure and water planning alone is not enough if people do not take water conservation seriously.   

Each drop of water does not come easy. Raw water has to be stored and purified through a complex process involving treatment, filtration and disinfection, before it is delivered to all Singaporeans. Whether in the making of tap water, NEWater or desalinated water, PUB applies the same stringent standards to produce clean and high-quality water.

Last year, we announced a new target for household water consumption – 130 litres of water per person per day by 2030. PUB has plans to reach this target through smart technologies like smart water meters and smart showers, as well as public education and community engagement. Our eventual goal is for each of us to take ownership of and be proactive in transforming Singapore’s water journey, not just in the month of March, but as a lifelong commitment.

PUB is launching a year-long water conservation campaign this year. With the same theme “Make Every Drop Count”, PUB will be working with partners and the community to organise outreach activities, to help Singaporeans better appreciate the tedious process involved in making our water clean, and why it is important for us to treasure every drop. 

It is also important to start young when it comes to inculcating water-saving habits. I am glad to know that schools have been strong and steadfast partners of the Singapore World Water Day over the past decade.

By the end of this month, more than 150 schools would have come on board to conduct Water Rationing Exercises, which started in 2016 as part of the Singapore World Water Day celebrations. One such school is PCF Sparkletots. Today, K2 children from its Teck Ghee Blk 415 branch are present to share with us their “Make Every Drop Count” project where they have built a mini water treatment plant prototype that is able to filter coarse sediments from water. Through this project, the children learnt more about the water loop and the importance of saving water.

Communities and businesses nationwide have also come together to lend support. For the first time, PUB is launching the #GoBlue4SGmovement, to rally the community and build a strong water-conscious culture in Singapore. I understand that many partners have come up with a myriad of blue initiatives such as selling blue / water-related merchandise, or holding exclusive deals during the month of March, in support of water conservation. One of the highlights – City Turns Blue – will also be back this year where more than 20 buildings will light up Singapore’s skyline. 

Water conservation goes beyond a mere campaign; it has to be a sustained and collaborative effort. I urge everyone to embrace this effort, to conserve and safeguard our precious water resource as part of everyday life. By not wasting water, we are also demonstrating a sense of responsibility to our environment, and contributing to our vision of becoming a zero-waste nation.

Together, let us make every drop of water count. #GoBlue4SG.

Thank you.

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