Live: Clean Air, Clear Water

Unlike many other major cities around the world, people in Singapore enjoy plenty of clean air and clear water all year round. Among the many reasons for the island’s clean environment are sound environment regulations, good cooperation between the private and public sector and a focus on conserving and protecting the environment.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is tasked with delivering and sustaining a clean and healthy environment and water resources for all in Singapore.

Straight from the tap

Marina Bay, Singapore's newest reservoir after the completion of the Marina Barrage. (Source: MEWR)

In Singapore, you can enjoy clean drinking water right from the tap, 24x7. The country’s 32 rivers and 14 reservoirs are an important part of its drainage and water supply systems.

Rainwater that falls within Singapore’s catchment areas is collected in our reservoirs. Today, about half of Singapore is being utilised as catchments for rainwater collection. With new projects to build more reservoirs, drains and canals, local catchment areas will eventually cover about two-thirds of the island.

To multiply every drop, NEWater, which is high-grade water obtained from water reclamation, was also launched in 2003.

Many conservation efforts are channeled to ensuring that Singapore continues to enjoy clean water supply. One of these is the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC) program by national water agency, the Public Utilities Board (PUB), which aims to make better use of Singapore’s scarce water resources and bring people closer to water as a source of recreation.

And, other projects have been started to ensure an even better standard of water quality here. They include:

Marina Barrage
The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the Marina Channel. It acts as a tidal barrier that prevents high tides from causing flooding of inland low-lying areas at the same time creates a fresh water reservoir behind it. Click here to find out more about the project. Click here to see how it works.

DTSS
The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) is a long term project, to be implemented in phases, consists of two large, deep tunnels crisscrossing the island, two centralised water reclamation plants, deep sea outfalls and a link-sewer network. Click here to see how the system works.

Fresh, clear air

Singapore has constantly maintained a high ambient air quality standard (Source: MEWR)

As an industrialised country at the crossroads of Asian shipping lanes, Singapore is not spared the threat of air pollution. The clear, fresh air Singapore enjoys is the product of the combined efforts of industry, government and the public.

Singapore has consistently maintained a high ambient air quality standard through setting stringent emission standards, promoting energy efficiency and using alternative energy sources such as natural gas that emit less pollutants.

As a result, ambient concentrations of most major air pollutants (such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone) have stayed within accepted international standards. Air quality in Singapore is measured using the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). Between 2003 and 2006, Singapore has managed to enjoy air quality in the “Good” range for at least 85% of the days in the year.

Click here to get the latest PSI readings.