NEWater: Revitalising the Singaporean Movement for Water Sustainability

NEWater Singapore: A PUB entity in Singapore which recycles used water into reclaimed water through thorough high-tech cleansing processes:

1) Microfiltration: Utilises a filter to remove microscopic particles (and some bacteria)

2) Reverse Osmosis: Produces high-end water as at this stage, undesirable contaminants (eg. hormones, bacteria, toxins)

3) Ultraviolet Detection: UV light is able to eradicate all leftover bacteria through mutagenic rays (the light breaks the microorganism's molecular structure in the microorganism's DNA)

NEWater was put into action in the 1970s and has been setting the precedent for water sustainability, revitalising and pushing the necessity for water sustainability, recycling and conservation.

This PUB entity came into play when the Singapore government initiated a study to determine and ascertain the possibility and feasibility of recycling used water, through the process of producing reclaimed water. This study consisted of many experts and the conclusion was yes, it was technically possible to produce reclaimed water from used water but the government didn't take action. In the 1970s there were concerns regarding the production of reclaimed water due to, at the time, the equipment was not only expensive but also unreliable (the technology was relatively new).

By the 1990s, the technology's cost lowered and the performance became constantly more reliable by the day. This allowed Singapore to start considering investing in this technology as other countries, such as the US,  successfully utilised water for treatment and reclamation. By 1998, PUB established a team to test the technology's capabilities for reclamation purposes. This set the precedent for the formation of NEWater in 2000 (which was able to produce 10,000 cubic meters of reclaimed water daily).

The pure, reclaimed and high-grade water produced was named NEWater and after a series of tests, it was determined that this water was safe and sustainable; thus NEWater was established.

As of 2018, NEWater has passed over 150,000 tests and audits, proving that it is safe to drink leading to its approval and acknowledgement by the WHO (World Health Organisation). It also undergoes routine audits by international experts in microbiology, toxicology, water chemistry and engineering to ensure the functionality and constant production of safe, reclaimed water.

To learn more, check out NEWater's website or visit the facility at NEWater Visitor Centre (20 Koh Sek Lim Road, Singapore, 486593)

'NEWater Singapore's Journey' Exhibition

Written by Yash Mahajan