1. Water: Reasons for Water Constraint &
Responses to Rising Demand for Water

2. Objectives Reasons for water constraints
Evaluate the effectiveness of different responses to increase water supply
Case study: Singapore

3. Reasons for Water Constraint

4. Water Constraint Water supply is limited
Water consumption (demand) is increasing
Hence there is a water shortage

6. Factors affecting Water Supply
Limited supply of fresh water
Uneven distribution of fresh water
Water pollution
Factors affecting Water Demand
Population growth
Growth of agricultural
Growth of industry
Changes in lifestyle

7. Limited supply of fresh water
Only 1 percent of total amount of water on earth is fresh water

8. Uneven distribution of precipitation
Low precipitation in areas such as North Africa and th Middle East results in the scarcity of water in these regions.

9. Water Pollution Man’s activities affect the quality of water
Waste from factories and homes dumped in rivers
Deforestation causes soil erosion, which pollutes rivers
Sedimentation in stream

10. Reasons for the Rising Demand for Water
Population growth
Growth of agricultural
Growth of industry
Changes in lifestyle

11. Population Growth In the last 80 years Population increased by 3 times
Water demand increased by 6 times

12. Growth of agriculture Increasing world need for food
Water used for irrigation, rearing livestock

13. Growth of industries Water in industries used for : Cleaning machines
Cooling machines
As a raw material in the food, chemical and paper industries

14. Changes in lifestyle People more affluent
Can afford modern appliances, eg washing machines, long baths, air conditioners
This increases demand for water

15. Summary Factors affecting Water Supply Limited supply of fresh water
Uneven distribution of fresh water
Water pollution
Factors affecting Water Demand
Population growth
Growth of agricultural
Growth of industry
Changes in lifestyle

16. Responses to Rising Demand for Water
Increasing price of water
Increasing supply of water
Conserving water

17. Increasing the Price of Water
Water prices
influence the use of water
determined by government officials, water companies, environmental groups and interest groups of consumers
Increasing price of water will slow down the rising demand for water.

18. Increasing Water Supply
Increase catchment areas
International agreements
Use of technology

19. Increasing catchment areas
A catchment area is also known as a drainage basin.
It is the area bounded by hills or mountains.
Surface runoff collects in a catchment area and water is carried by a river and its tributaries to the sea.

20. Managing catchment areas
Restrict logging activities and carry out reforestation programmes
Initiate large water projects that help increase water supply
eg. Three Gorges Dam project in Centre China

21. International Agreement

22. International Agreement
Regional tensions and conflicts among nations can arise over the use of the shared water resource.
Affected countries will suffer from inefficient use or decrease in water supply.
International agreements help to settle or prevent cross-border disputes over water resources.

23. Use of technology
Recyling water (water reclamation)
Desalination

24. Desalination
A process that removes salts and other impurities from saltwater.

25. Water Reclamation
Reclaiming water is the treatment of wastewater for reuse.

26. Water Conservation
Water conservation can take place in domestic, industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.
Public education helps to reduce water wastage.
Posters, booklets, flyers, programmes, events.

27. Water Conservation at Home

28. Water Conservation at Home

31. Case study: Water Supply in Singapore

32. The Supply of and Demand for Water in Singapore
The supply of water

33. The Supply of and Demand for Water in Singapore
The demand for water
Sources of water supply:
Local water catchments
Imported water
Reclaimed water (NEWater)
Desalination
Water usage pattern in Singapore households

34. Ensuring a Sustainable Water Supply in Singapore
Mandai Reservior
Sarimbun Reservior
Kranji Reservior
Upper Seletar Reservior
Lower Seletar Reservior
Upper Pierce Reservior
Lower Pierce Reservior
Payan Reservior
Jurong Lake
Bedok Reservoir
MacRitche Reservior
Pandan Reservior
Tengeh Reservior
Local catchment areas

36. Water from our local catchment areas
14 reservoirs supply us with clean water.
Half of Singapore’s total area is used as water catchments
By 2009, the total catchment will be two-thirds of Singapore.
The Reservoir Integration Scheme
The Marina Barrage
An artist’s impression of the Marina Barrage

37. Imported Water
Water is Imported from Malaysia to supplement our water supply.
Two agreements signed between Malaysia and Singapore in 1961 and 1962 are in force up to 2011 and 2061 respectively.

38. Reclaimed Water
Through new technology to further treat the effluent water large volumes of used water has been reclaimed since 2002.
NEWater is mainly used for industrial and commercial purposes with a small amount blended with reservoir water.
With NEWater, Singapore’s water supply has become more sustainable.

39. Desalinated Water
Construction of Singapore’s first desalination plant took place in 2004 and began to operate in 2005.
It can supply 10% of our demand for water.

40. The Four National Taps Strategy
Water conservation plan:
Pricing water to reflect its strategic importance and scarcity
Educating the public to use water efficiently
Getting commercial and industrial premises to install water-saving devices
Encouraging use of alternative sources
Imposing fines on water wastage and unauthorised water usage.