Water Tariff

The Price of Water in Singapore

In Singapore, water is priced to reflect the scarcity value of water. The Water Tariff is charged based on the amount of water consumed. To reinforce the message that every drop of water is precious and everyone must do their part to conserve water, the Water Conservation Tax was introduced in 1991. It is imposed as a percentage of the total water consumption.

What does the water tariff cover?

The water tariff covers the costs incurred in the various stages of the water production process. This includes collection of rain water, treatment of raw water and distribution of treated water to customers through an extensive network of water pipes throughout Singapore.

To ensure a diversified and sustainable water supply for all, we have also leveraged on technology to harness alternative sources of water like NEWater and desalinated water. These sources are more weather resilient but also more expensive to produce than conventional sources.

What happens to the water after it is used ?

Every drop of used water is collected via a separate network of sewers and channelled to the water reclamation plants where it is treated to international standards. The treated used water is then further purified to become ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water known as NEWater or discharged to the sea. Having separate systems for the collection of all used water and rainwater helps to keep the catchments and waterways clean. It also allows for water recycling to be carried out on a large scale, thus ensuring the sustainability of NEWater.

What is the Sanitary Appliance Fee and Waterborne Fee?

The Sanitary Appliance Fee (SAF) and the Waterborne Fee (WBF) are levied to offset the cost of treating used water and for operating and maintaining the used water network. The Sanitary Appliance Fee is a fixed component based on the number of sanitary fittings in each premise whereas the Waterborne Fee is charged based on the volume of water used in any premises.

Government Grant

To help the low-income families, the Government has been providing grants in the form of U-SAVE rebates to help offset their utility bills, including water expenses. From 2007 to 2011, a household staying in one to three room flats received an annual U-SAVE rebate of $110 to $360 (or average about $10 to $30 per month), compared to the average water bill of less than $35 a month. This twin approach of conservation and targeted assistance ensures that all Singaporeans have access to affordable, high quality water for the long term.

Water Tariff in Table Format