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George MadhavanDirector, 3P Network

PUB, Singapore’s national water agency

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Country Information

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NEWaterNEWaterIndirect Potable

Use

Direct Non-Potable

Use

PUB manages the complete water cycle

seasearainrainstormwater stormwater managementmanagement

collection collection of rainfall of rainfall

in drains & in drains & reservoirsreservoirs

treatment oftreatment ofraw to potableraw to potable

waterwater

collectioncollectionof used waterof used water

in sewersin sewers

supply of supply of water to thewater to thepopulation & population &

industriesindustries

treatment treatment ofof

used waterused water

desalinationdesalination

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NEWater

• Introduced in 2002

• Primarily for industrial and commercial use

• Small percentage added to raw water reservoirs

• NEWater can meet 30% of Singapore’s current water supply

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Closing the water loop

N

JOHOR

OF

STRAITS

LEGEND

PulauBukom

WoodlandsNEWater SR

KranjiNF

TampinesNEWater SR

Bedok NF

Changi NFJIWWJIWW

Ulu Pandan

NF

INDUSTRIAL WATER PIPELINES

Kent RidgeNEWater SR

on

Mandai SR

Jurong Hill 65 SR

Kranji 17 mgd

Bedok 18 mgd

Ulu Pandan

32 mgdChangi 50 mgd

• NEWater Infrastructure Plan (NIP) and NIP Extension pipeline projects in progress to meet growing demand in Jurong Island

• NEWater to meet 50% of water needs by 2060

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Quality assurance

• Comprehensive water sampling and analysis

• Extensive physical, chemical and microbiological testing

• 300 parameters incorporated; more than 130,000 analyses carried out to date

• Independent panel of international water experts; regular audit and review of results and plant operations

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Expert Validation

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Key Challenges

Overturning public’s psychological fear and stigma

Focus on treatment process (advanced membrane technologies), instead of source

Translate technical information in a simple, layman manner through use of simple diagrams and familiar objects that are easy to understand

Terminology had negative connotation

Use terms that better reflect the process or its value as a resource

Mindset change needed to get public to understand that water

recycling was part of nature

NEWater process speeds up the natural water cycle

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Engaging the stakeholders

Communications with stakeholders was key to success of campaign

• Key messages:

– NEWater is a safe and meets WHO drinking water guidelines

– NEWater will make Singapore’s water supply more resilient

Media Opinion leaders

Public

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Engaging media as partners

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Endorsement by leaders

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Choice of words

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NEWater Visitor Centre• Pillar of public education campaign; officially opened in Feb 2003

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Public sampling

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NEWater in 2012

• 300 parameters incorporated; more than 130,000 analyses carried out to date

• 4 NEWater plants can meet 30% of Singapore’s water needs

• 23 million bottles of NEWater distributed for public

sampling purposes

• NEWater to meet 50% of Singapore’s water demand by

2060.

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http://www.pub.gov.sghttp://www.facebook.com/PUBsg