SM Goh Chok Tong at World Water Day 2011

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Water, like air, is essential to life. And like air, we tend to take it for granted, until we are short of it. As many people around the world still do not have access to safe sources of drinking water or proper sanitation, we commemorate World Water Day today to raise awareness of the need for sustainable water management.

Four National Taps

In Singapore, we have clean water which is readily available from taps. Yet, this was not always the case. There was a time when many of us drew water from wells to bathe, wash, drink and cook. Fortunately, Singapore has abundant rainfall; unfortunately, we have limited land to capture and store this water. 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 expires.

Our investments in technology and water infrastructure will enable us to do this. But this does not tell the full story behind our single-minded drive for water self-sufficiency – the political will, the sheer determination, the creativity, the research and the organization and people behind the story. Today, we talk about our Four National Taps as if setting them up was as easy as building roads or houses. Be assured that it was not. Besides imported water from Malaysia, we have water from local catchments, NEWater and desalinated water. We will continue to expand our water supply to meet the needs of our population and growing economy. Just this week, PUB selected Hyflux as the preferred bidderto build and operate Singapore’s second desalination plant. When completed in 2013, the plant will increase our water supply by 70 million gallons per day.

Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters

However, having a diversified and robust water supply is only half the picture. To ensure the sustainability of our water resources, we also need everyone to play their part to conserve and value water. Hence, the government launched the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme in 2006 to encourage Singaporeans to enjoy our water resources and develop a shared sense of ownership.

Under the ABC Waters Programme, our water bodies will be transformed into beautiful blue spaces that enhance our living environment and serve as recreational and community spaces. Over the next 20 years, more than 100 projects will be introduced across Singapore and into our heartlands. For a start, 15 ABC Waters projects have already been completed. Public organisations and private developers have also been adopting ABC Waters concepts in their developments. As these projects are developed, convenient access to waterfront amenities will become an integral part of the Singaporean way of life and identity. By getting closer to water, Singaporeans will also better cherish and appreciate our water resources.

Encouraging Community Partnership

I am pleased to note that there is a growing number of partners, both from the community as well as private companies, who have come forth as guardians of water. Among these are the Waterways Watch Society, Hitachi and perhaps to the surprise and delight of many, the Inter-Religious Organisation. These partners have joined us today to commemorate World Water Day.

I would also like to commend the Singapore Environment Council and Aveda Corporation who jointly organised a charity walk for clean water earlier this morning. The walk symbolises the distance that people in some developing countries need to take each day to obtain clean water. It is a healthy way to remind us that we cannot take water for granted, and to appreciate the national effort we have made to bring clean water to our homes, offices, hotels and factories.

Conclusion

In closing, I would like to encourage more community groups and private companies to join in the commitment to protect our water resources. This can be as simple as encouraging water saving habits within your organisation, or safeguarding our water as part of PUB’s Water Adopters Programme. With active and continued involvement from the entire community, we will transform Singapore into a City of Gardens and Water.

I wish you an enjoyable morning.