Water recycling in Singapore began in 1974, but the experimental treatment plant was closed a year later because of costs and reliability issues.[12]
In 1998, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) initiated the Singapore Water Reclamation Study (NEWater Study). The aim was to determine if NEWater was a viable source of raw water for Singapore's needs. NEWater and desalination both were explored to reduce reliance on water imported from Malaysia, which has long been a source of friction between the Malaysian and Singapore governments.[13] The Malaysian government is treaty bound to sell water to Singapore until 2061, but it has no obligation to do so after that date.[14]
In 2001, PUB initiated efforts to increase water supplies for non-potable use. Using NEWater for these would help reduce the demand on the reservoirs for potable water.[15]