S’pore will have enough water even without new agreement: SM Goh [News]
March 20, 2011 by Eugene Tay
Filed under News
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said Singapore will have enough water for itself even if there is no new water agreement when its second Water agreement with Malaysia expires in 2061.
Under the second water agreement that was signed in 1962, Singapore is allowed to draw up to 250 million gallons from the Johor River.
Mr Goh said investments in technology and water infrastructure will enable the country to continue its drive towards self-sufficiency.
He said: “When Singapore gained independence, we were almost totally dependent on imported water from Malaysia. Today, we are much less dependent. And come 2061, we will have enough water for ourselves if there is no new water agreement when the second Water Agreement runs out.
“Besides imported water from Malaysia, we have water from local catchments, NEWater and desalinated. We will continue to expand the water supply to meet the needs of the our population and growing economy.”
Mr Goh was speaking at the celebrations for World Water Day at the Marina Barrage on Sunday morning.
He was joined by some 8,000 participants. Among them were religious leaders from Singapore’s Inter- Religious Organisation (IRO) that had collaborated with national water agency PUB to commemorate IRO Day in conjunction with World Water Day.
Amid the celebrations, Mr Goh and religious leaders held a minute of silence to remember the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.
They also flew a 24 square metre kite at the Green Roof to launch the IRO’s kite festival. Kites representing the different faiths in Singapore were given out to participants for donations to be channelled to Mercy Relief in their relief efforts in Japan. The IRO’s collaboration for the event, was also to showcase the connection between how “Faith and Water” are linked.
Celebrations for World Water Day were also held in seven other locations, including Jurong Lake and MacRitchie Reservoir.
This year’s celebration, involving some 20,000 people islandwide, is the biggest thus far.
Source and Image: Channel NewsAsia
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