Comment: Beyond scarcity and security, does Singapore need a new water story?

SINGAPORE: Water conservation is a philosophy that inspired those of my generation.

I remember my elementary school leading at least one water rationing exercise. Water coolers, faucets and toilets were closed for a few hours.

This was not the most pleasant experience. At age 11, when you had to go, you went there. And you only had a small bucket of water to flush out your trade.

But this deliberately painful exercise made it clear how much access to water, fast and reliable, was valuable.

RECORDING IN MEMORY

As Singapore continued to grow to become an imposing metropolis and adopt innovative advanced methods of water purification, memories of shortages – real or simulated – seemed to be removed in the cracks of the water. public psyche.

The progress made over the years to strengthen Singapore's water security has instead created renewed confidence, which is a welcome development.

Investments have been made to expand water catchment areas, modernize infrastructure and diversify sources through water treatment and desalination. The marina dam, the most iconic and most visible symbol of water history in Singapore, is also celebrating its 11th birthday this year.

READ: The dam of the marina, a dream in 20 years, a comment

The history of water in Singapore underscores the ingenuity of our founding fathers, who have turned adversity into opportunity and strength, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a ministerial forum at the University of technology and design of Singapore in 2018.

These words may indicate why it is difficult for many to dispel the sense that water has become a national security imperative over the years.

NEW CHALLENGES

Singapore faces new challenges to ensure reliable access to sufficient water. Predicted extreme weather conditions with climate change, in the form of global warming and dry seasons, are putting the country's main water sources at risk.

The Linggiu Reservoir in Johor, which supplies Singapore with a staggering 250 million liters of water, is likely to dry up in 2017 and has been very shocking.

The sudden floods and torrential rains have also made water too important another key problem. In November 2018, a torrential rain caused 100 mm of rain on Bukit Panjang in less than two hours – 40% of the monthly average annual rainfall.

What should a water management system look like to withstand drought and floods?

READ: What Singapore can do to prepare for the next flood, a comment

Another challenge comes from politically charged exchanges on water agreements between Singapore and Malaysia, which have been in the media spotlight over the last year.

Even then, when desalination and water treatment meet 70% of the water demand, is it still necessary to provide a complete water supply to Johor? Is the discourse on water conservation to cope with scarcity still valid?

DOES THE WATER FEEL AWAY FROM EXTINGUISHING OUR DAILY LIFE?

Despite the new challenges facing Singapore's water supply, the danger is that Singaporeans see this issue as a distant problem, far removed from our lives.

Initial public reaction to the announcement in the 2017 budget of rising water prices was revealing, particularly because it did not appear to reflect a deeper understanding of water scarcity, nor did it reflect the real cost of its production.

Although many ministers and members of Parliament have commented that Singapore is one of the world's most water-stressed countries and that water is a strategic resource, how many of us Complained – but have we just pbaded and paid our bills as usual?

READ: Are good ideas and public water policy dry? A comment

Pretty little I imagine. A street survey conducted with 100 people in March 2017 after the announcement of increases also showed that 75% of them did not even know how much money they were spending on water each month.

"Singaporeans take water for granted, simply because nothing has happened in recent years," said Asit Biswas, visiting professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

However, the fact that the survey took place comes after Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan pointed out in January 2017 that Singapore may not be able to tap into its water resources if the Linggiu reservoir is not in place. was exhausting, suggesting that we do not view water safety as a challenge and not ". Not worried about the need to reduce our water consumption.

One might think that the highly publicized fall of Hyflux, a story that has been going on since 2018, would have shaken the national conscience on the fragility of our water sources.

However, a survey conducted by PUB and REACH last October showed that young participants viewed water scarcity as a "distant concept" compared to their older counterparts.

READ: The fall of Hyflux, a unicorn in Singapore's history, a comment

The PUB has intervened to stress that it is ready to take control of the zero dollar desalination plant if the Hyflux Tuaspring system does not solve the problems, certainly indicates that the situation is serious and that the authorities are willing to put in place a safety net for the safety of the water.

Nevertheless, the online reactions to the drama unfolding have been less focused on water security, but rather on whether the restructuring proposed by Hyflux could be compromised and on the amount of money that they will recover.

WE NEED NEW NARRATIVE WATER

It can therefore be argued that Singapore needs a refreshed narrative over water, beyond scarcity or even security.

Part of this might be that there is no call to act beyond the tactical message of the need to conserve water. An original reflection and a new strategic lens from which to visualize the water could be useful.

Instead of scarcity or security, why not emphasize its central role in our daily lives?

Why not focus on water as a catalyst for the economy? It drives many strategic sectors, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronics, which together create hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of economic products.

Why not emphasize how it feeds families and provides a wonderful living environment in Singapore? Dozens of joggers and families stroll along the cbad, I live near every night to enjoy the serenity and get away from the hustle and bustle of the day.

READ: The history of water in Singapore highlights the value of preparation, a comment

And instead of conserving water, why not propose a broader national discourse on water stewardship, to encourage Singaporeans to make a moral commitment to preserve water for the next generation and to collaborate with others for these purposes?

AN ASSEMBLY APPROACH

An innovative approach involving local communities can mobilize support and awareness.

Around the Great Lakes, which straddle parts of Canada and the United States, people are working together to protect this strategic water resource, which could be instructive.

Detroit residents have come together to create gardens, parks and picnic areas, while Michigan groups have raised funds to restore wetlands and improve fish habitat.

Businesses, think tanks, schools and communities have also become more organized to develop a program of change in priority areas and find support from the authorities.

In Canada, funding for Great Lakes protection by the government alone has catalyzed more than 36 large-scale initiatives in 2018 – encouraging groups to participate in monitoring and badysis, in the deployment of best practices and in intensification of environmental rehabilitation projects.

Great Lakes advocates work with government officials on a range of water-related causes, promote water conservation as community ethics and are empowered to cross national boundaries to form constructive partnerships.

A council of the Great Lakes region has also been formed since 2011, composed of regional leaders from governments, corporations, non-profit organizations, academia and local communities, to identify areas in which which strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing and advocacy.

Back to Singapore. If funding from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources could be used to catalyze local community projects, young Singaporeans could be empowered to take ownership of their environment and water resources.

READ: How to give importance to water issues to world leaders, a comment

If cross-border research and community projects between Singapore and Malaysia could be launched, both parties could work together on a common vision of solving common water-related problems.

CENTRAL TO OUR LIVES

In the end, we need to think about the legacy that Singapore wants to leave to the next generation and to the place of water in this image.

While words, stories and projects can only go so far, it's worth revisiting our national water narrative to inspire a new generation of Singaporeans to adopt water not just as a water resource to keep, but at the heart of all facets. of our lives.

Lin Suling is editor-in-chief of Channel NewsAsia Digital News, where she oversees the Comment section.