In Jul 2002 Singapore unveiled its NEWater initiative to meet its future water needs. Water reclamation has been practised in Europe and the US for over 20 years, but Singapore is reported to use one of the best technologies to treat domestic wastewater (also called sullage or grey water) from kitchens and bathrooms. The treatment includes micro filtration followed by reverse osmosis and UV disinfection. NEWater will become an important part of the Singapore government strategy to double the country's source of water supply while reducing the dependence on water imports from Malaysia. By 2010, NEWater factories are expected to meet 15-20% of Singapore's needs. NEWater is reported to be much cheaper than desalination, with half the capital costs and one-fourth the energy running costs. The first NEWater plant should be supplying water to industrial users by Jan 2003.

Source: Krithika Tyagarajan, Frost & Sullivan, 1 Aug 2002
Reuters / Yahoo!, 7 Aug 2002

NEWater - sustainanable water supply - http://www.pub.gov.sg/NEWater.html

Tags: water resources management