The 3rd National Tap
Use Each Drop of Water More Than Once
A Singapore success story and the pillar of Singapore’s water sustainability, NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water. It is produced from treated used water that is further purified using advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection, making it ultra-clean and safe to drink.
Developed by PUB after three decades, NEWater has passed more than 65,000 scientific tests and surpasses World Health Organisation requirements, a testimony of its high quality and reliability.
NEWater is proof that using today's water treatment technologies, water of any quality can be treated into drinking water. It has put Singapore on the world map for innovative water management, including winning for PUB the Stockholm Industry Water Award in 2007.
The first NEWater plants were opened in Bedok and Kranji in 2003. The latest and largest NEWater plant at Changi with a capacity of 50mgd was opened in May 2010. Currently, NEWater meets 30% of the nation’s water needs. By 2060, we plan to triple the current NEWater capacity so that NEWater can meet 50% of our future water demand.
NEWater Usage: Industry and Drinking Water
Industry
NEWater is primarily for non-potable industrial uses. Supplied to wafer fabrication, electronics and power generation industries for process use, it is also piped to commercial and institutional buildings for air conditioning cooling purposes. This frees up potable water for domestic consumption. It is delivered via a separate distribution network to industrial and commercial customers.
The demand for NEWater has grown 15-fold from 4 mgd (18,200 cubic metres a day) in 2003 to some 60 mgd (273,000 cubic metres a day) today.
Drinking Water
A small percentage of NEWater is also blended with raw water in the reservoir. The raw water from the reservoir then goes through treatment at the waterworks before it is supplied to consumers as tap water.
External Audit
Twice a year, NEWater undergoes rigorous audit processes by an external audit panel comprising international experts in engineering, water chemistry, toxicology and microbiology.
This high-grade reclaimed water has consistently been awarded top marks for its high quality, safety and for exceeding international standards.
Click here to learn how NEWater is treated. |