Singapore's Sustainable Sanitation System

Singapore is one of the most fascinating places in the world. Going from a poor British colony to becoming a top tourist destination and a finance hub, Singapore is the epitome of good economic and social policy and many other things. 

Although Singapore deserves many articles, this post will talk about its sanitation system, which turns recycled sewage into water. 

First, water goes to one of Singapore’s many water reclamation plants, where the water undergoes initial purification. Then, it goes to NEWater plants, where water is further cleaned and made into potable water.

NEWater. Source: USA Today

NEWater accounts for 40% of Singapore’s water and is one of the 4 “taps” (as Singapore calls it) of water that Singapore uses for water. The entire system to create potable water is especially interesting as it integrates with the Sewage system to reclaim water. Although NEWater is potable, it is used mainly for semiconductor manufacturers, and building cooling; still, there is a NEWater brand of potable water as well. 

In the next article of Urban Draft, we will delve into Housing and its role in Urban planning. 

Finally, as always, feel free to leave a comment or some constructive criticism—feedback will help improve my future posts!

Bibliography

1. National Library Board Singapore. "NEWater" National Library Board Singapore, https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=7a2d59ef-ec52-443a-afb0-291f4326eb3f. Accessed 31 July 2024.

2. ScienceDirect. "NEWater." ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/newater. Accessed 31 July 2024.

3. Wood, Johnny. "Singapore is leading the way in recycling wastewater. What can it teach the rest of the world?" World Economic Forum, 30 Nov. 2022, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/singapore-wastewater-recycling-water-stressed/#:~:text=Wastewater%20from%20sewers%20arrives%20at,rays%20to%20disinfect%20the%20water. Accessed 31 July 2024.

4. Water Technology. "Changi Water Reclamation Plant, Changi" Water Technology, https://www.water-technology.net/projects/changi-reclamation/#:~:text=Wastewater%20treatment%20at%20CWRP&text=At%20NEWater%20factories%2C%20the%20reclaimed,the%20removal%20of%20large%20debris. Accessed 31 July 2024.

5. USA Today. "In a drought, should we drink sewage? Singapore does" USA Today, 2 June 2015, https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/02/singapore-water-recycled-sewer-water-newater-california-drought/27958823/. Accessed 31 July 2024.

6. New Zealand Herald. Marina Bay Sands Image. New Zealand Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/singapore-7-great-sky-high-bars-to-try/LZRGBKQ3LFUMM2UBMMOQKS6B7E/. Accessed 31 July 2024.