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Adding on the our previous post. here is a website we would like you to visit. it explains more about the idea of an alternative which we have proposed earlier.

Making water from thin air

Water from thin air

http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/10/06/212252.shtml

From what our group has presented to you on our previous post, we would like to propose to you to make water out of thin air. We did a research about it and we found out that such a way is possible. With the help of some friends from another class, we are able to find our way into landing to a website which happens to mention the feasibility of it. the company does not want to share any details, but we stringly believe that Singapore can adopt the idea. It may7 be very costly, but if it is for the sake of the nation who would in the end be the ones bringing more revenue to Singapore's economy, we don't see why the government would hesitate to pay more, for our own survival.

We all know that water is the fundamental need for our daily activities. This process of making water from thin air might just be one of those alternatives which had already existed. But the difference is that it only requires humidity, not even any chemicals or byproducts. It definitely will not be a harm to the environment; definitely is environmentally friendly. But to any of the alternatives, there would be pros and cons to it.

The pros.

• environmentally friendly
• more water resource for Singapore

The cons.

• It may get very costly as Singapore would be adopting other country's idea
• the air around us would be less humid, lesser water vapour will be present
  

River Flow

Over the years, many means and alternatives had been used up in order to ensure the sufficient amount of water for the coming generations. One of which is that Conservation. I found a website, Ministry of Env. and Water Resources

which allows me to tell you more about what had been done, recently.

These are some of what which are found in the speeches made by our leaders about the alternatives of conserving water.

Water Conservation in the Domestic Sector

10L Water Conservation Challenge

We recognise the importance of individual efforts in water conservation, and have schemes to promote this. In 2006, we launched the 10-Litre Challenge to reduce daily water consumption per capita by 10 litres. I am happy to report that 68 Water Volunteer Groups have since been formed in 39 constituencies, involving Resident Committees, Voluntary Welfare Organisations and other organizations. These groups volunteer their time over the weekends, to visit households and assist in the installation of water-saving devices. We hope more Singaporeans will step forward to follow their fine example.

Through our outreach and educational programmes, we have lowered our daily per capita domestic water consumption, from 165 litres in 2003 to 157 litres today. We are on track to reach our target of 155 litres by 2012.

Update on Voluntary Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme

In 2006, we also launched the voluntary water efficiency labelling scheme as part of the 10-Litre Challenge. To date, more than 500 products have been labelled, from taps to shower heads to washing machines. This allows consumers to make informed choices when they make their purchases. In view of the favorable response, the labelling scheme will be made mandatory from July 2009. For a start, taps, flushing cisterns and urinals must come with water efficiency labels. We will consider extending this scheme to shower heads and washing machines in the future, when more water efficient models are available.

From July 2009, taps, urinals and dual-flush cisterns installed in all new developments and premises undergoing renovation, must have at least a “one-tick” water efficiency rating. As developers install water devices in bulk, this will hasten the take-up of water efficient devices and incentivise suppliers to bring in more models. In fact, PUB is already working with HDB to adopt the use of water efficient products in HDB developments. The choice of dual-flush cisterns was offered in some upgrading projects, and the take-up rate was high. HDB has also incorporated the use of dual-flush cisterns for new projects.

Water Conservation for the Non-Domestic Sector

The non-domestic sector is another key group of water consumers, accounting for half the water consumption in Singapore.

PUB currently has some initiatives to manage water demand in this sector. For example, users are encouraged to run Water Efficient Buildings, by using water efficient fittings and monitoring their water consumption. They are also encouraged to use NEWater in place of potable water and to recycle water, whenever possible. Last year, PUB also launched the Water Efficiency Fund to provide financial incentives to companies to take on water conservation measures and develop alternative water sources.

10% Challenge

Our experience with the Water Efficient Buildings programme suggests that there is generally scope to lower one’s water consumption by about 5-10%. Hence, we would like to call on non-domestic users to take up a 10% Challenge, where we will work with them to reduce their water consumption, by up to 10% if not more. This can be achieved for example, by installing water-saving devices and adopting good water management practices. Taking up this challenge will also benefit the users, since reductions in water consumption means cost savings. Over the next 3 to 5 years, we will engage the different sectors to help them lower their water consumption. We will start off with Government and commercial buildings, hotels and schools.

To help promote this 10% Challenge, a 10% Challenge Website will be launched. It will assist users in assessing the state of water management in their premises and identifying opportunities for improvement. PUB will also work with institutions like the polytechnics to develop a Water Efficiency Manager Course, to equip in-house facilities and operations managers with knowledge and skills to conduct water audits and adopt water conservation measures. PUB also plans to work with professional organisations to develop a Water Efficient Building Design Guide. PUB will work with BCA to include Water Efficient Building design as a criterion under the Green Mark certification for buildings.

All in, the 10% Challenge is a basket of initiatives to encourage and assist the non-domestic sector to reduce their water consumption. Beyond cost savings to customers, we hope to achieve a longer-term change in the mindset and approach towards the design of buildings and systems that are water efficient.

(ii) Water Supply, EWI and ABC Waters

Water Supply

On the supply side, our Four National Taps strategy provides us with a diversified and sustainable supply of water. The four taps are: water from local catchments, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water.

We will continue to maximise the water that we collect from our local catchments. By next year, three new reservoirs at Marina, Punggol and Serangoon, which are currently under construction, will be created. Together, they will increase our catchment area from half to two-thirds of Singapore’s land area.

NEWater demand has been growing since its introduction in 2003. The industry values NEWater for its high quality. With the completion of our fifth and largest NEWater plant at Changi, NEWater will be able to meet 30% of our water needs by 2011, up from the current 15%.

Our fourth tap is desalinated water. The Singspring desalination plant was commissioned in 2005, and can supply up to 10% of our water demand.

Together, our Four National Taps will ensure a robust and sustainable supply to meet Singapore’s long-term water needs.

Developing Localised Water Supply on Jurong Island

Currently, Jurong Island gets its water from mainland Singapore. Water demand on the island amounts to some 10% of the total demand in Singapore. This is expected to increase with further industrial growth on Jurong Island.

With the high and concentrated demand on Jurong Island, there is scope to consider developing localised water supply on the island itself. There is plentiful supply of seawater for desalination. We can also recycle the used water on the island. PUB will study the feasibility of developing water supply on Jurong Island. Should we proceed, we will ensure that there is minimal cost impact to the companies on Jurong Island.

If successful, this initiative will enhance Singapore’s reputation as a leader in integrated water resource management and in balancing environmental sustainability with industrial development

Water Pricing

I had informed that my Ministry would look into restructuring used water charges into a single volumetric fee, moving towards a single price for water. We are still in the process of studying the implementation details.

Our initiatives in managing our water supply and demand represent a holistic approach to water management that is increasingly recognised internationally. For its excellence in integrated water resource management, PUB was awarded the Stockholm Industry Water Award last year. We want to build upon such achievements and track record, to develop Singapore as a hub for water solutions to meet global challenges.

Developing the Water Industry

Last year, I informed members that we had set up the Environment and Water Industry Development Council, or EWI, to spearhead our efforts to grow the water industry. I am pleased to report that EWI has made good progress in 2007.

Through the investment promotion efforts by both EDB and PUB, we have continued to attract and anchor major multinational companies and R&D centres. Black and Veatch, for example, has announced plans to expand its Singapore operations to serve as its Global Design Centre.

Our home-grown companies such as Hyflux, Keppel and SembCorp have done us proud by expanding their businesses in key overseas markets such as China and the Middle East. A number of major projects were clinched last year, such as Keppel’s $1.5 billion wastewater treatment contract in Qatar. In addition, under the MOU which my Ministry had signed with the Ministry of Construction in China on cooperation in urban environment and water resources, in-principle agreement was reached for SembCorp and PUB to jointly embark on a wastewater treatment and water supply demonstration project in ZhangJiaGang, China.

EWI’s key strategy in growing the water industry is to nurture a vibrant research eco-system. This would provide critical technological innovation, intellectual capital and train specialist manpower for our growing environment and water industry. The research community and Singaporeans have responded very positively to this.

Our local academic institutions have been proactive in building up their research capacity. Both NUS and NTU have established institutes that are focused on environment and water research. Internationally renowned research institutes such as Delft Hydraulics have likewise been attracted to set up R&D Centres and partnerships in Singapore.

Riding on this momentum, we will be launching our flagship water event, the Singapore International Water Week or SIWW in June this year. This will be a milestone for Singapore, as the Water Week will be a platform for government officials, industry leaders and water professionals from all over the world to network and share solutions and experiences in the field of water. In the long-term, we plan to grow SIWW into a leading water show in the world, which will contribute to our vision for Singapore to become a global hydro-hub.

Marina Barrage

I am pleased to inform the House that the Marina Barrage when completed will not only increase our water supply but help alleviate flooding in low-lying areas of the city. The reservoir created will also be a lifestyle attraction offering a host of recreational possibilities. International and local sporting events such as sailing and river regattas will be held, adding buzz to the Marina Bay.

By third quarter this year, visitors to the Marina Barrage will be able to learn about Singapore’s water story and understand how the barrage works. They will also get to see green features in the building design, such as the turfed roof, the use of solar energy, and water and energy-efficient fittings. Through these, we hope the public can learn more about the Marina Barrage and other projects, and how they can play a part in our water and environmental sustainability story.

ABC Waters Programme

Last year, PUB launched the ABC Waters programme, to bring people closer to water so that they will better cherish this precious resource. Under the programme, our drains, canals and reservoirs will be transformed into vibrant, beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes, raising the quality of life of Singaporeans to an even higher level.

Some upcoming ABC Waters projects

I am happy to report good progress on the first three projects which will be completed this year – at Kolam Ayer, Bedok Reservoir and MacRitchie Reservoir. Singaporeans can also expect more exciting projects across the island, including: Lower Seletar Reservoir, Jurong Lake, Pandan Reservoir, Sungei Punggol, and Kallang River near Bishan Park.


In the eastern part of Singapore, at Lower Seletar Reservoir, the rich heritage of the area will be preserved. Along the heritage bridge, visitors can take in the scenic view of the reservoir, and through story panels, learn of the interesting history of Lower Seletar Reservoir and its previous Orang Seletar settlement. This will connect the young with the past and bring back memories of the place for the older generation.

In the western part of Singapore, Jurong Lake will be transformed into a family recreational attraction. Here, school children can learn how wetlands function and families can get close to the water along the boardwalks. As a connection to the loose translation of Jurong as a fish (its local name is Ikan Julong), there will be a fishing promenade for anglers.

In the central part of Singapore, Kallang River along Bishan Park will be transformed into a scenic river, which will be integrated with the adjacent park. Families can enjoy a quiet stroll along the new footbridge connecting the residential estates from both sides of Bishan Park. They can also enjoy picnics by the water while children have fun at the water play areas.

With these projects, we hope to bring waterfront living to the HDB heartlands, improve the quality of our living environment and enhance property values. It will also bring closer to realization our vision of being a City of Gardens and Water, which is one of the key thrusts of Clean and Green Singapore.

Community Participation

While the Government carries out the physical infrastructural works, the success of these projects will depend on the community. We want people to visit our waters, have fun and in doing so, develop a sense of ownership and play their part to keep our waters clean.

PUB will engage the community to encourage them to take ownership of these projects. A one-day workshop was held for the pilot project at Kolam Ayer, where the community groups brainstormed how they could sustain the project in their estate. They are now developing the ideas into community bonding projects which they will run themselves. Similar workshops will also be conducted for the other ABC Waters projects.

(i) Concluding Remarks

To conclude, I thank the Members for their views and suggestions. We can all be proud that Singapore has done well to achieve the clean and healthy environment that we enjoy today. While we continue to take care of our environment, we are also moving towards our vision of becoming a city of Gardens and Water to further enhance the quality of life of all Singaporeans.

Looking ahead, my Ministry will maintain a strong focus on environmental sustainability to ensure that we deliver an even higher quality environment in tandem with a growing population and economy. We will continue with efforts to develop and position Singapore as a global hub and thought-leader for environment and water technologies and solutions. At the same time, we will encourage the private sector to adopt more environmentally-friendly business practices, especially where these result in cost-savings and greater resource security. To facilitate such efforts, we will look into providing incentives where necessary, for instance to address market barriers and failures. We will continue to take a sensible approach by adopting measures that reap effective returns and long-term benefits for our people and industries.

While the government will actively do our part, achieving environmental sustainability will require the participation of each and every Singaporean. It can be as simple as not littering, keeping our homes free from dengue, bringing our recyclables to the nearest recycling bin, and choosing water and energy efficient appliances. I urge everyone to be more mindful in the little choices that we make in our everyday life.

If we work together to sustain a better environment and quality of life, the result of our joint efforts will be enjoyed not just by ourselves but also our future generations, who will benefit from a Singapore that is economically vibrant and has a high-quality living environment, with clean air, land, and water for all.

One way or another,there are alot of alternatives but only some have a very little effect of setbacks.Nowadays,modern technology is the key to our everyday life,survival and is one of the most important item in life.Like one of the alternatives given below,the setback is that the land will be like a desert.We have to sacrifice nature for the survival of our own kind.But eventually,we will also die as trees will soon enough die as there are no water for them but only for us,humans.Alot of ways but also alot of disadvantages,its for us to decide and for us to make it.

Alternative 2

Singapore's water

Singapore's water shortages are major challenges that have been posed for quite some time. Though we are located on the equator where we can receive lots of rainwater, we have no where to store water naturally. We also do not have groundwater, which is located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces. Limited landspace is something Singapore has to make do with.

So far, Singapore has taken a lot of measures to try conserving water. Students are cleaning up the rivers, beaches and seas during their CIP (Community Involvement Program) hours. It is implemented to raise the awareness of young and future generations on the importance of taking care of water like as if it is our lives. Rationing of water also happen at certain times of the year, where the people know how to deal with water shortages, if they do happen in future.

singapore's reservoirs

Currently in Singapore, we have a total of about 15 of them present. It collects our rainfall and stores them in there. There will be more building up soon, but we cannot depend on just reservoirs to maintain our life. Singapore herself has very limited land and our population is growing rapidly day by day. Land will be used for recreation and human developments.