Quenching Singapore’s thirst [News]

By Elgin Toh, The Straits Times, 3 Sep 2011.

A simple turn of the tap did not guarantee water if you happened to be in Singapore on April 24, 1963.

It was the first day of a water rationing exercise that would last 10 months.

An unusually dry spell both in Singapore and in the Tebrau River area in Johor – a primary water source for the island – caused water stocks to plunge dramatically, leaving the authorities with little choice but to impose restrictions.

For four days a week, depending on which area you lived in, you were either deprived of water between 8am and 2pm or between 2pm and 8pm.

People who did not ordinarily read the newspapers or listen to the radio suddenly found themselves having to scan headlines or turn knobs at least once a week – to stay informed about rationing schedules. Read more

Call to integrate water and energy policies [News]

Water and energy are inextricably linked and solutions to manage their scarcity ought to be better coordinated, industry leaders at the Water Leaders Summit yesterday said.

‘There is a growing realisation that we can no longer think about energy and water separately,’ said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, California.

He explained how it used to be believed that to cut dependence on imported oil, countries should look to biofuels to produce their own energy. But that led to water constraints and changes in food prices – implications beyond energy production.

‘The good news is that integrating energy, water and even food and climate policies, can yield much benefit,’ Dr Gleick said. He was part of the Water Leaders Roundtable yesterday, attended by more than 550 participants. Read more

Reduce the Impact of Your Organisation’s Waste, Water and Transport Management

Besides considering the direct energy usage by your business, you should also look at waste, water and transport management as these activities also contribute to carbon emissions. Find out how your business manages waste, water and transport in your daily operations, and take steps to reduce the impact of these activities.

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Waste Management

Waste minimisation helps to conserve resources and reduce energy usage in the production, transportation, usage and disposal process. Visit the Zero Waste Singapore website to learn more about how you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Here are some tips:

• Design and Make Sustainable Products
• Eliminate the Excessive Use of Paper
• Conduct a Waste Audit
• Start Recycling at Work

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has published a Guidebook on Waste Minimisation for Industries to help companies reduce their waste and practise recycling. The guidebook contains information on how to conduct a waste audit, and also how to introduce a waste minimisation programme through tips and case studies.

Your organisation can also make use of the new 3R Fund by NEA to implement waste minimisation and recycling projects.

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Water Management

Energy is required for potable water and wastewater treatment and transport, so reducing the amount of water consumed and discharged will help to lower the energy needed.

Visit the following websites for tips to help your organisation conserve water and save money:

• Water Efficient Buildings programme by PUB
• The 10% Challenge by PUB
• Water Efficiency, Green Building Design Guide by BCA

Your organisation can also make use of the Water Efficiency Fund by PUB to explore efficient ways to manage your water consumption.

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Transport Management

The organisation’s transport vehicles and the mode of commuting by employees contribute to carbon emissions. Here are some tips to help your organisation reduce transport emissions:

• Encourage or incentivise your employees to take public transport or carpool to work
• Arrange for company transport to ferry employees
• Use more videoconferencing to replace the need for business trips overseas
• Educate company drivers on good driving habits and maintenance of their vehicles
• Plan your transport needs to consolidate delivery orders and reduce delivery frequency
• Plan your driving journey to reduce driving time and distance
• Use more fuel efficient vehicles and green vehicles such as CNG vehicles, or use cleaner fuel such as biodiesel