Community Outreach
While embracing new technology has been key to Singapore’s water success, there is another critical element that those looking for water scarcity solutions should take note of: consumer outreach. PUB runs a comprehensive campaign that encourages everyone included in what they call the “3P” — people, public, and private sectors — to take joint ownership of managing Singapore’s water resources. The campaign is centered on PUB’s tagline, “Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy.” Encouraging consumers to be smart about their water use is a large part of PUB’s message. Through a variety of measures, consumers are challenged to cut their water use by 10 percent every day. As a result, Singapore’s per capita domestic water consumption has gone down from 43 gallons per day in 2003 to the current 40 gallons per day, according to PUB. The goal is to lower it to 38 gallons by 2020 and around 36 gallons by 2030.
The campaign also focuses on reminding Singapore residents how important it is to keep waters in the reservoirs and catchment areas clean. A program known as “Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters” (ABC Waters) has been put in place to transform Singapore’s reservoirs into beautiful community spaces where the water is the focal point. The program has the dual goal of keeping water clean and promoting greater community appreciation for water. Over 20 ABC Waters projects have been completed across the nation, and over 100 potential locations have been identified for the implementation of the program by 2030.
While an identical water model may not be the answer to U.S. water scarcity, lessons can certainly be learned from understanding why Singapore’s approach works for them. Do you think a combination of any of these approaches could work for the drought-stricken Western U.S. and elsewhere? Which ones?