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FAQ
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How will NEWater be used? |
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We will continue to use NEWater for direct non-potable purpose by industries, commercial buildings, etc. As for Indirect Potable Use (IPU), 3 million gallons a day of NEWater, about 1% of the total volume of water consumed daily, has been blended with raw water in our reservoirs. The amount will be increased progressively to reach about 2.5% of the total volume of water consumed daily by 2011.
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If NEWater is so clean, why can't we introduce NEWater straight into the taps? |
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The main reason is the psychological barrier associated with the idea of consuming reclaimed water. It will take time for people to get used to the use of reclaimed water. By mixing NEWater with reservoir water, we will be able to help them to overcome this psychological barrier. This is also the precedent practice in US.
Secondly, NEWater is too clean and it lacks minerals which are removed during the reverse osmosis process. Minerals are generally good for our health, and the absence of minerals change the taste of water. People are now used to drinking PUB water. By putting NEWater back to the reservoir, we will be supplying water the traditional way Singaporeans are used to.
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How is NEWater used for non-potable purposes? |
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Since Feb 2003, NEWater has been supplied to the wafer fabrication industry for their process use. Besides the wafer fabs, the companies from the various industrial sectors such as the electronics industry and power generation industry have also signed up to use NEWater. In addition, NEWater is supplied to commercial and institutional complexes for air-con cooling purposes.
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What are the incentives for using NEWater for non-potable purposes? |
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With the advancement in membrane technology, PUB is able to produce this higher quality of NEWater which is cleaner than PUB water. Industries and commercial and institutional premises using NEWater would be able to achieve higher recycling rates in their production processes and cooling towers. They would benefit from the increased efficiency brought about by using NEWater.
Secondly, NEWater does not attract water conservation tax, as industries that use NEWater are helping to conserve our precious water resources. More PUB water could be freed up for potable use.
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Have large-scale studies been done on populations/ communities to investigate the effects of drinking such reclaimed water? |
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The real test is not in the lab but rather in the US where reclaimed water has been used to recharge underground aquifers and surface reservoirs for over 2 decades. To-date, there have been no adverse health effects from the use of reclaimed water.
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Is NEWater more expensive than PUB water? |
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Yes. Based on today's cost structure, it is more expensive to produce NEWater than PUB water but it is cheaper to produce NEWater than desalinated water. NEWater is priced at a cheaper rate than PUB water because it does not attract water conservation tax since industries that use NEWater are helping to conserve our precious water resources.
However, the cost structure is not static. For example, in the case of PUB water, the price will change should there be changes to the price of raw water and also the quality of raw water. Our plan is to have more sources of water supply so that we could optimize on these alternative sources to ensure that our water supply system is robust and most cost-competitive.
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Is NEWater safe for human consumption? How does NEWater compare with PUB drinking water? |
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Yes, NEWater is safe for human consumption. Test results from the two-year comprehensive physical, chemical and microbiological study showed that the quality of NEWater consistently exceeds the requirements stipulated in the USEPA and WHO guidelines. In fact, NEWater is cleaner than PUB water. NEWater is purified using a double membrane barrier system that will screen off viruses and bacteria in the water. The same types of membrane process system have been used for production of bottled drinking water and for desalination of seawater. In addition, NEWater will also pass through an UV irradiation barrier as a final safeguard before the NEWater is passed for use.
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What tests have been carried out to establish that NEWater is safe for human consumption? |
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NEWater has been analysed based on WHO and USEPA Drinking Water Guidelines. We have carried out some 20,000 analyses on the physical, chemical and microbiological aspects of NEWater. Some 190 parameters were tested. The testing regime went beyond USEPA and WHO guidelines and included parameters not found in these two international guidelines. The results of these tests were independently reviewed by the Expert Panel.
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Has reclaimed water been used for human consumption elsewhere in the world? |
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Yes, the use of reclaimed water for potable use is not new. In the US, indirect potable use of reclaimed water has been in place for more than 20 years since the 1970's. These places include California, Arizona and North Virginia. In these places, reclaimed water is used to replenish underground aquifers and surface reservoirs.
Water reclamation is a growing trend in the US and also around the world. There are several other large scale water reclamation projects that are now being planned or implemented in the US.
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NEWater is so pure like distilled water. Can I drink it direct? |
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It is a personal choice. Even though IPU has been adopted, NEWater is not supplied directly to households. NEWater is mixed in reservoirs where there are minerals and chemicals, and further treat for supply to households as PUB water. We are not proposing to Singaporeans to drink NEWater directly, but it is safe to drink it directly. We will be happy to make it available to those who are interested to have a direct taste of NEWater.
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How did PUB help the public better understand the technology used for the production of NEWater and to gain wide-spread acceptance? |
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To enhance public understanding of NEWater, the Board has embarked on an intensive public education programme on NEWater. Advertisements, posters and leaflets were produced. Briefings and exhibitions were held to spread the NEWater message. The NEWater Visitor Centre was also open since Feb 2003 for the public to see the use of leading-edge membrane technology and ultra-violet disinfection in the production of NEWater.
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PUB is also planning to build desalination plants. Desalinated water does not come with the psychological barrier that is often associated with NEWater. Hence, why is there a need to use NEWater for potable use? Why not just build more desalination plants? |
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Due to the presence of high salt contents in seawater, it is more costly to desalinate seawater because desalination plants use more energy. However, the cost of desalination has been coming down as technology improves. So PUB has decided to diversify our water resources including supplying desalinated water. As NEWater is more cost competitive in the foreseeable future, PUB intends to maximise the use of NEWater.
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