What is Singapore NEWater?

NEWater is one of Singapore’s four national taps. NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water that is further purified using advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection, making it ultra-clean and safe to drink.

Is NEWater unique to Singapore?

Today, there are five NEWater plants supplying up to 40% of Singapore’s current water needs. By 2060, NEWater is expected to meet up to 55% of Singapore’s future water demand. The high-grade, reclaimed water was named NEWater, and a battery of tests and audits showed it was a safe and sustainable water source.

Is NEWater only in Singapore?

The first NEWater plant was completed in May 2000. Singapore currently has four operational NEWater factories, at Bedok, Kranji, Ulu Pandan and Changi….Production.

What are the 3 steps that Singapore uses to produce NEWater?

NEWater is recycled from treated sewage (‘used water’) and produced using a rigorous 3-step purification process involving ultrafiltration/microfiltration, reverse osmosis (RO) and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.

What are the disadvantages of NEWater?

Although NEWater is very a very effective process, it has a couple of disadvantages. NEWater will not be able to produce enough potable water to be independent. It is now only able to produce 30 percent of Singapore’s demand. In the future, 2060, it is predicted to meet 55 percent of Singapore’s demand.

Is it safe to drink water from the tap in Singapore?

Singapore’s tap water quality is well within the Singapore Environmental Public Health (Water Suitable for Drinking) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 and World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Our tap water is suitable for drinking directly from the tap without any further filtration.

Why do Singaporeans drink pee?

“Basically, you drink the water, you go to the toilet, you pee and we collect it back and clean it,” he said. Today NEWater makes up 30% of Singapore’s water, almost all of it used for industrial purposes.

Why is NEWater so expensive?

The resources needed for the task, such as chemicals, materials and manpower, have become more expensive over the years, said the water agency. It also has to rely on more costly methods to develop Singapore’s water system, as the environment becomes increasingly urbanised, the PUB added.

Which NEWater plants is the largest in Singapore?

The Sembcorp NEWater Plant marks a major step in Singapore’s water sustainability journey with its total capacity of 50 million imperial gallons, or 228,000 cubic metres, of NEWater per day.

What does NEWater stand for?

reclaimed water
NEWater refers to the high-grade reclaimed water that has been purified with advanced membrane and ultraviolet technologies. Having passed more than 150,000 scientific tests, and satisfying the World Health Organisation’s requirements for safe drinking water, NEWater is said to be “ultra-clean and safe to drink”.

Is NEWater energy efficient?

Desalination is an energy-intensive water source. Singapore currently uses reverse osmosis for its desalination, which uses about 3.5kWh/m3 of energy to make seawater drinkable. This process produces pure drinking water by pushing seawater through membranes to remove dissolved salts and minerals.

Why is NEWater expensive to produce?

Rainwater is collected through a comprehensive network of drains, canals and rivers, and channelled to reservoirs before it is treated to become drinking water. Desalination is the most energy-intensive of our four taps. This makes desalinated water the most costly to produce.

What to do at NEWater Visitor Centre in Singapore?

The NEWater Visitor Centre (NVC) is an education hub that promotes water sustainability in Singapore and shares how NEWater is produced. The Centre offers a fun-filled and enriching time for visitors of all ages, with interactive tours and educational workshops. Discover membrane and ultraviolet technologies that make NEWater so clean.

How many NEWater water plants are there in Singapore?

The NEWater Visitor Centre is a fun educational attraction for all ages, where visitors can come to a working water factory to learn about how Singapore’s national tap water systems work. NEWater currently operates five plants in Singapore, all of which supply around 40% of the country’s water needs.

When did the NEWater Factory in Singapore Open?

The factory was launched in 2003, which also serves as a museum and educational attraction to the public, intending to raise awareness on the importance of water sustainability. The tours, which are focused on water conservation, starting with an informative video screening about Singapore’s water consumption.

How many visitors per session at PUB NEWater?

In view of COVID-19 Safe Management Measures, we will be hosting up to 20 visitors per session. Guided tours will be conducted in sub-groups of 2 pax (group allocation to be determined by PUB). With effect from 17 May 2021, all visitors (with the exception of children under the age of 7 years) must check-in TraceTogether Safe-Entry upon arrival.