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SINGAPORE : Singapore's expertise in the water industry has gained international recognition.
Besides lending its experience in wastewater management to Queensland, Australia, it is also hosting an international event next year where key global players will meet.
Recycled water, known here as NEWater, has helped Singapore ensure its water sustainability.
Now the state of Queensland in Australia will be doing the same.
At a summit on desalination and water re-use in Singapore, a minister from Queensland said by the end of next year, the Australian state will use recycled water as part of drinking water.
It will pump recycled water into its dams and reservoirs, before piping it to homes - similar to what Singapore is doing.
It has been getting advice from Singapore, with one of PUB's top engineers sitting on its panel of international experts.
Harry Seah from PUB's Director for Technology Office has been an advisor on Queensland's Expert Advisory Panel set up by the state's Water Commission since early this year.
"We've been working especially with the PUB on implementation of water recycling in Queensland, using some of their previous expertise and get the NEWater scheme up and running," says Craig Wallace, Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Queensland, Australia.
"That's part of my visit - to attend the water summit and to have a look at some of the NEWater factories and see the regulation in use. We'll certainly be using that expertise and also the expertise Singapore played in rolling out the projects."
In getting its people to accept the idea, Queensland held a public education programme to address some concerns about using recycled water as well as help residents overcome the "yuck" factor.
"Before the process is explained, some people do have some impressions which are incorrect, and unfortunately are peddled by some people in our community who want to give the wrong impression. But I think the public of Queensland, as the public of Singapore has shown, will be too smart for those peddlers of misinformation," says Mr Wallace.
"We can demonstrate that the water is pure and clean. It will be a major boost not only for our drinking water supply in south east Queensland but also industrial supplies."
Mr Wallace says 70% of its population has given the idea the thumbs up.
Queensland has been recycling 13% of its wastewater, but that is primarily used for irrigation of golf courses, sugar cane plantations, pastures and other industry.
This is the first time it is using recycled water for potable use.
The state has been facing acute water shortage as a result of Australia's worst drought in more than a century.
Besides Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory is also exploring the use of recycled water as part of its drinking supply.
Mr Wallace adds the state will be building an education centre on water recycling, similar to the NEWater Visitor Centre in Bedok, to educate residents and children on the topic.
Meanwhile, Singapore will be hosting another international water event next year.
The Singapore International Water Week, to be held in June, aims to create business and technology networking opportunities among water experts.
There will also be fun-filled water festival that will have activities which bring Singaporeans and the international participants together.
"The highlight of the Singapore Water Week will be an international water prize. It will be awarded to individuals who have applied innovative technologies to solve water problems or implemented effective policies that have significantly improved living conditions," says Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
"This prize recognises the real, wide-scale benefits that have been achieved through innovation and effective management."
Details of the prize will be announced later, but PUB says it will most likely be in cash form, similar to the annual Stockholm Water Prize.
Water is an important resource globally and the Singapore government has identified water and the environment as a key growth sector. It has allocated some $330 million over the next five years to promote R&D in this industry.
The Singapore Desalination and Water Reuse Leadership Summit, which will be on till Thursday, is attended by more than 100 global leaders.
It aims to promote awareness of global issues on water reuse and desalination among participants, and provide a platform to share best practices.
Delegates will also get to tour Singapore's water recycling plants and visit the NEWater Visitor Centre in Bedok. - CNA /ls
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