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Channel NewsAsia 12 Mar 13;

SINGAPORE: Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore will be water-independent well before the expiry of the country's last water agreement with Malaysia.

Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore can continue to produce more than enough water for itself for the long-term future.

The second desalination plant in Tuas will be completed in July, producing another 70 million gallons of water a day.

In the long run, desalination is expected to meet up to a quarter of Singapore's total water demand.

Authorities will also not be raising water prices this year.

He said: "I agree that water needs to be correctly priced to reflect its scarcity value and it needs to facilitate long-term investments in this sector. There is a need, therefore, to constantly invest. And the key variable in the future for the cost of water is the cost of energy. So I cannot predict what the future cost of water will be without knowing what the cost of energy will be."

- CNA/xq

Govt will not raise water prices this year
Woo Sian Boon Today Online 13 Mar 13;

SINGAPORE — The Government will not be raising water prices this year, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, as Parliament yesterday debated the ministry’s spending plans.

He, however, stressed that water needs to be “correctly priced to reflect its scarcity value”, while facilitating various long-term investments in the sector.

“The key variable in the future for the cost of water is the cost of energy, so I cannot predict what the future cost of water will be without knowing what the cost of energy will be,” Dr Balakrishnan added.

Still, he assured Member of Parliament (MP) Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio GRC) that an increase in water prices is not necessary “on our current trajectory”.

Dr Balakrishnan also addressed Nominated MP Faizah Jamal’s concerns on the sustainability of the Republic’s water supply with a projected population increase.

He said: “We are in a secure position. I can give assurance to this House we will certainly be water-independent well before the expiry of the last agreement with Malaysia. I can even go further than that and assure Ms Faizah Jamal that … water is not going to be the limiting factor.

“You can produce as many babies … build as many houses as you like ... we can continue to produce more than enough water for Singapore for the long-term future.”

A second desalination plant in Tuas — which will produce another 70 million gallons of water per day — will be ready in July this year, Dr Balakrishnan said.

To meet Singapore’s long-term needs for the collection, treatment and disposal of used water, he also announced that Phase Two of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System — “a superhighway for used water” — will be commencing to serve the western part of the island.

“It will drain water from the western part of the island to a NEWater reclamation plant in Tuas, which will also produce NEWater in the future,” Dr Balakrishnan said. WOO SIAN BOON

PUB identifies 100 potential sites for ABC Waters programme
Channel NewsAsia 12 Mar 13;

SINGAPORE: PUB has identified 100 more sites in Singapore that could potentially be developed in the ABC Waters Programme.

ABC Waters integrates drains, canals and reservoirs with the surrounding environment to create water parks and community spaces.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament three more projects will be completed this year at Sungei Pandan, Sungei Ulu Pandan and Geylang River.

Construction will start on five additional projects later this year at Sungei Tampines, Sungei Api Api, Kallang River (next to St Andrew's school) and Siglap Canal. Between 2014 and 2017, construction will start on new projects at Kallang Riverside and Jurong Lake.

Dr Balakrishnan said: "We'll make sure these ABCs are inter-connected - what I call these blue ribbons of water with the National Park Connector network. So that you'll be able to have access throughout the island, you can run many marathons on these routes. We have completed 20 projects so far, but the good news is in fact we've identified 100 sites that could potentially be developed over the next 15 to 20 years. Now I'm not saying we can do all 100, but I'm saying there is potential to do many more sites."

- CNA/xq

35,000 to gather to spread message of water conservation
Channel NewsAsia 12 Mar 13;

SINGAPORE: As part of World Water Day celebrations, 35,000 people will gather this Saturday at various sites to spread the message of water conservation.

The theme of the celebrations is "Every Drop Counts".

There will be a variety of activities, including kayaking, dragon boating, cycling, kite flying and outdoor yoga sessions.

Celebrations will kick off with "shower dances" at Marina Barrage, Lorong Halus Wetland, Kallang River @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Jurong Lake, Lower Seletar Reservoir and Geylang River.

The dance will reflect in its own way the importance of water conservation, specifically, taking showers in under five minutes.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Vivian Balakrishnan will join in the celebrations at Marina Barrage.

In conjunction with PUB's 50th anniversary, the national water agency will be launching a stills/motions competition titled, "My Take on Water" during the celebrations.

The goal of this competition is to invite the public to share their view of water and how it has transformed or touched their lives.

Entries can be in the form of stills (e.g., photos, drawings, paintings, digital art) or motions (e.g., videos, short films, animation). The competition will run for five months.

World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of fresh water and water sustainability.

- CNA/xq