How Singapore is going from water rags to riches | DW News

In Singapore, water supply impacted wars, the economy and people's health. Now, one of the most water-stressed countries is teaching the world how to handle water when there is hardly any. 

#PlanetA #Singapore #WaterCrisis

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Credits:
Reporter: Tim Schauenberg
Supervising Editor: Michael Trobridge
Video Editor: David Jacobi
Fact-Check: Alexander Paquet
Thumbnail: Em Chabridon

Read more:
United Nations Water, report on Singapore's strategy:

Isocarp Institute, Singapore's Water History:

International Water Association Fact sheet on Singapore:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:35 The challenge
01:56 History
03:32 Step 1: Imported Water
04:57 Step 2: Desalination
06:09 Step 3: Local Catchment
07:18 Step 4: NEWater
09:22 Policy and Education
10:14 Conclusion

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[SShiJie]

As a Singaporean, did you know our schools teach children about our 4 National Taps in National Education (NE) lessons? It's also because of a good education system which brought us to where we are today❤

[pgobserver]

You are correct that there have been tense moments in the history of Singapore-Malaysia relations over water issues. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, during Mahathir Mohamad’s first term as Prime Minister of Malaysia, there were significant disputes over the price of water supplied to Singapore.
During these disputes, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew did make strong statements emphasizing the critical importance of water to Singapore’s survival. He indicated that Singapore would take all necessary measures to ensure its water supply, including military action if necessary. However, these statements were more about underscoring the seriousness of the issue rather than an explicit threat of war.
Both countries have since managed to navigate these tensions through diplomatic channels and have continued to honor the 1961 and 1962 water agreements. 10:16

[umeshdharmatti]

Wow!! 5%NRW is simply unimaginable.... Singapore water management is a role model for entire world!!

[rosaliabonayog]

😊🎉 Wow..hope all nations will have that way.

[annehersey]

In addition to being rich, another advantage of Singapore is its large amount of rain. This video reminds me of another Nation with a large agricultural sector but little water in its nation-Israel. They are doing wonderful things also.

[franktoh]

There are still people in a neighbouring country who are still waiting for the water agreement to expire in 2061. After that they plan to squeeze Singapore.😂😂😂

[Mari_Selalu_Berbuat_Kebaikan]

Let's always do alot of good ❤
Nam myoho renge kyo

[urbanstrencan]

Water the new liquid gold, for long we treated water like nothing important but now we see needs for it
Great video

[diegopg]

and they say we have drought in Spain 😂

[straighttoyou]

I wish I could go from rags to riches.

[bamdadkhan]

0:55 - 'it's just that one thing..' ..personal freedoms? oh.. no.. water.. okay.. xdddd

[DaveP-uvml]

The waste recycling technology actually is modeled after the system used in Orange County, California, which has the world leader in pioneering this technology. They consulted with Singapore government to assist them in building theirs.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2014 was awarded to The Orange County Water District in California for there many innovations.

Orange County, California is still the world’s largest recycler of waste water.

They are a sister county to Los Angeles and they are currently providing technical assistance to help Los Angeles construct a similar system. When this project is finished Los Angeles will then become the world’s largest recycler of waste water.

[montyb]

There were 49 infantry battalions—21 Indian, 13 British, six Australian, four Indian States Forces assigned to airfield defence, three Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, and two Malayan. In addition, there were two British machine-gun battalions, one Australian, and a British reconnaissance battalion serving in Singapore.

Odd that the video would order it British, Australian, and Indian when the bulk of the army serving in Singapore against Japan were Indian. The contribution of India is regularly looked over with stuff like this.

[ricardor]

Yes, multicultural, BUT mostly ethnic Chinese.

[anak-em]

If Malaya is lost Singapore have no chance to exsist.

[kamalghaz]

0:12 starting war with neighbouring countries ? This is a false statement. Tell us which country and what year did Singgapore went againt that 'neighbouring country'. Really bad media reporting by the west

[sass...]

If not greedy,
honest, willing to share, do more good.
The Almighty will help . There's Always A Way Out.

Don't have, 2 face character.
One hand offers honey.The other hand offers poison.

[sayfolman]

From Scamming Malaysia, And Does Not Want To Review And Renew The Price Until The Contract End In 2062

[Zetler]

Is this a joke? Singapore is a wealthy coastal city in the tropical zone and it’s next to a friendly country that’s abundant in water. This is like making an inspirational video about how the Americans solved their Starbucks latte shortages.

[TGWazoo]

Singapore is a financial hub. It has no GDP. It’s unsustainable. It’s the latest hotspot in finance and tax shelter.