Singapore wants to make the water cleaner

Tag : clean drinking water
 
Water from Marina Reservoir and others in the city is one of foursources of Singapore's water. Some is imported from Malaysia, somecomes from a desalination plant, and the rest is known as NEWater.The NEWater starts as treated sewage, which is reclaimed andfurther purified. Most of it goes to industrial and commercialusers, PUB says.
For Singapore, the Marina Barrage project marks the culmination ofa cleanup effort that began about two decades ago when workingbarges still plied and polluted the main Singapore River.
Now, tiny fish dart about in city river water, which is visited attimes by long-necked white birds.
But the water is certainly not blue. After heavy rain the riversbecome a soupy olive-brown and filled with vegetation, discardedplastic drink bottles and other garbage.
Water for drinking from the reservoir will be specially treated tomake it safe, the PUB says.
"We will no longer have the benefit of the sea flushing out thepollutants on a daily basis," Khoo said, adding that the biggestchallenge is ensuring the cleanliness of water flowing into thecatchment.
Clean-up crews in small boats patrol the water system but the PUBis counting on the public to play their part in keeping theiraquatic playground and drinking fountain clean.
"We want them to understand that water should be something that youcherish," Yap said.
Eventually, he said, they hope the water will be blue.