overview of water supply in singapore

Though located in a climatically wet region with more than 2,500 mm of rainfall annually, the island city-state of Singapore, with almost 4 million people and a robust economy, has long been on the list of water-stressed nations. Before its separation from Malaysia in 1965 it was already relying on Peninsular Malaysia for much of its fresh water supply through long-term agreements. Currently, about half of Singapore's water requirement is piped to the republic via the causeway from the southern peninsula state of Johor--a source that of late has become a bone of contention that is affecting bilateral relations. While Singapore has been exploring and implementing policies to improve the efficiency of water usage through reduced per capita consumption and wastage, recycling, and measures to diversify water supply sources, the prevailing high dependence on Malaysia is seen as unhealthy to its long-term security interests and economic development. Underpinning all this is Singapore's determination to overcome its vulnerability and, in so doing, Singapore has managed to evolve a highly efficient water management system, second to none in the region, if not the world.