How Singapore solved its looming water crisis

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

[SSY]

As a Singaporean, I appreciate the foresight demonstrated by our leaders in planning for the future. Ironically, Dr. Mahathir's threat to halt the supply of raw water to Singapore has prompted our leadership to remain vigilant and not take our resources for granted.

[kikeb]

Great video, since dry season are longer and at the same time heavy rainning are more offen, Singapore gives a perfect follow example.

[maleahlock]

I'm in Western Australia and our government is absolutely useless when it comes to water. Instead of funding waterwise education they fund ads that blame household use. . . which is only 6% of water consumed. An uninformed population can't address the true giants of water consumption. They refuse to address poor infrastructure, regulation, and innovation.

The government absolutely won't mention the overseas owned mining and oil production who use 35% of potable water because our politicians all have their hands in oil and mining pockets.

I live out bush so we have a water tank and are incredibly conservative with how we use and reuse water. Water for dishes and showers is then used for the washing machine then flows into a grey water tank that supplies the gardens, air cons, toilets, and emergency reserves for the firies and bush fire sprinkler system.
We've had extreme drought for two years and looking at another, even more desperate summer.

[clementihammock]

Good, discipline and capable Civil Servants make a huge difference.

[JIANGTG]

1. Singapore has been very lucky since self-governing in 1959, followed by independence in 1965 .
2. Its founding father Lee Kuan Yew ( 1923 -2015 ) and his extraordinary team had the far-sighted vision, implemented the pragmatic approach to tackle all sorts of problems, set the high standard of clean and effective government leadership, with the selfless mind to continuously improve the well-being of the people.
3. These nation improvement spirits are the impetus for the second, third and fourth generation political leaders.

[brentfrank]

This is fantastic news, didn’t realize Singapore was doing such a great job. Here in California our state government cries about our lack of water and yet all year long they dump fresh water into the ocean. One big rain storm drops more water than we can use in a year and we don’t capture it, then in early spring the snow melts on the Sierras and again we don’t capture but a small percentage of it. Crazy!!!

[musicman]

The Sustainability Museum out at Singapore Marina Barrage explains this in great detail, and is an incredibly interesting visit especially if you take a free guided tour - our tour guide was amazing and very frank.

[JXZ-JAM]

I've been passionately following Singapore for many reasons, for a number of years. I strongly believe given their current path, they will be the strongest city state in the world, and will be one of the strongest nations in the world in the future. They are possibly the best example of what the world of tomorrow will look like.

[muhdhakim]

A fellow singaporean here
We singaporeans have to thank the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, without him, sg wont be where it is todayy

[robosv]

This is amazing stuff. If I was in charge of Saudi Arabia or Arizona I'd be hiring Singaporean water consultants right now.

[MrMountainchris]

Amazing what a functioning government can achieve. Good video! Nice to have historic context.

[chronotee]

Johor actually buy back treated water from Singapore

[Jomo-xn]

When Singapore were buying raw water from Johore I asked my Brother-In-Law would they do if Malaysia turned off the water supply. He replied "They will effectively turn off their own water supply because we sell the treated water back to them".

[Bryghtpath]

Singapore struggled with water since World War II, depending a lot on imports. Now, it's a world champ in keeping water use sustainable.

[darrenjosiah]

As a Singaporean, it's painful to see some salty comments below against the ideology of our progression (a few requires some form of desalination 🤣) Of course we know that there's no perfect plan or perfect system, but we choose to recognise our Weaknesses and then excel in our Wins. We are given brains to be used to hunt for strategic advantages, coopetition and partnerships, not to yap against our 'disadvantages' 😀

[alexandersetuain]

So many great solutions for water scarcity! Love this!!

[YouTuber-iz]

Singapore used to cut off water for different areas in housing estates. This let the older generation appreciate how inconvenient it is to be without fresh water. Today, young Singaporeans do not experienced this and many took for granted that fresh water is always there.

[NewmaticKe]

SINGAPORE - Singapore leads the world in the provision of safe and clean drinking water in the latest ranking of 180 countries by Yale University.16 Aug 2024

[Sjalabais]

I'd love a definition of "ultra pure water", what is done to the NEWater residue - the part that's filtered and treated out, as well as more on the insanely low leakage of 5%. It's a city state, but...wow. my municipality here in Norway is at 50%.

[mho]

Good governance is key to Singapore's sucess