By En Qi Teo, Staff Writer and Researcher for Save The Water\u2122 | July 31, 2019<\/p>\n
As the global demand for clean water continues to rise, so too does the interest in alternatives to conventional water conservation and purification. One method, NEWater, has already been put in place in Singapore for the past 17 years.<\/p>\n
Singapore lacks natural fresh water resources due to its land scarcity. To fight the problem of water scarcity, in 1998, Singapore began the Water Reclamation Study.1<\/span> This project was meant to find whether purified recycled water, or NEWater, could be used to meet Singapore\u2019s water needs.1<\/span> In 2002, Singapore set up two NEWater plants.1<\/span> Today, it supplies water to 40% of Singapore\u2019s population.2<\/span><\/p>\n In each NEWater plant, water is treated in four stages. First, heavier solids in the collected wastewater settle in a process called primary sedimentation.3<\/span> These solids are then removed from the water. Second, the water is passed through a process called activated sludge. In this stage, air is pumped into the wastewater so micro-organisms can digest the organic matter. Third, pressure-driven membrane filtration removes all solid material. Finally, in the fourth stage, ultra-violet radiation removes any remaining microbiological impurities.<\/p>\n Producing NEWater is both cheaper and more energy-efficient than desalination.4<\/span> This is because the wastewater being purified has less salt in it. Since treatment of the water costs less, Singapore aims to rely more on NEWater instead of alternative water sources or water treatment procedures.<\/p>\n Due to its need for an independent water supply, Singapore sets goals for NEWater production. While the targeted contribution of desalinated water to Singapore\u2019s water supply will stay the same from now to 2060, the Singapore government aims for a 15 percent increase in NEWater\u2019s contribution in the same period.<\/p>\n While NEWater recycles wastewater into potable water, there are a few issues. First, although it is cheaper than desalination, membrane technology is still expensive. Singapore\u2019s newest NEWater plant cost roughly US$125 million to build.6<\/span> However, with improvements in technology, we may see cheaper systems in the future.<\/p>\n The more pressing issue is resistance towards NEWater. Some people are uncomfortable drinking treated sewage water, even though they understand that it is potable.7<\/span> NEWater is therefore largely used for industrial purposes. However, as desalination becomes less sustainable, NEWater will become necessary for water use in more areas, regardless of the way it is being used.<\/p>\n NEWater has proven to be a reliable source of clean water. Using technology to recycle water is expensive, but encouraging people to conserve water does not cost anything. Therefore, apart from using technology to tap other water sources, Singapore\u2019s government also encourages cutting back on water use. One such way is through changing public mindsets by holding water rationing exercises.8<\/span> These remind citizens of water scarcity and encourage them to use less water. In the long run, a combination of public-awareness initiatives and NEWater methods could shape the future of water consumption across the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Opinion in Environmental Science & Health<\/i>, (2), 26-31. https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2468584417300302<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nHow is NEWater produced?<\/h2>\n
How does NEWater compare to other methods of purifying water?<\/h2>\n
What are some problems with NEWater?<\/h2>\n
What else can be done?<\/h2>\n
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