What has Singapore done to keep rivers clean?
The Singapore River was suffocated by all the pollutants flowing into it. From 1977 to 1987, there was a multi-agency effort to clean up the Singapore River. Dumping of waste and used water from industries located near the river was eliminated. Rubbish was removed from the river and the riverbed was dredged.
Who cleaned up Singapore River?
In 1977, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew called for a clean up of Singapore’s rivers, which included the Singapore River and the Kallang River. The clean up cost the government $300 million and involved a relocation of about 4,000 squatters, along with hawkers and vegetable sellers, whose daily waste flowed into the river.
Why was the Singapore River cleaned?
It was also about water security, as Singapore was highly dependent on water imported from Malaysia. Having clean waterways that could function as water catchments would help to boost the local water supply. A master plan for cleaning up Singapore River and Kallang Basin was drawn up by October 1977.
How long did it take to clean Singapore River?
The 81-year-old civil engineer and his team were handed the task of ensuring fishing and other recreational activities would be possible along the Singapore River and Kallang Basin in 10 years’ time.
What has Singapore done to improve water quality?
PUB plans to increase Singapore’s water catchment from two-thirds to 90% of the nation’s land area. With separate rainwater and used water collection systems, good land use planning policies and strong environmental controls, the collected rainwater is protected from pollution.
How does Singapore deal with water pollution?
The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates water pollution and quality in Singapore’s sewerage system, as well as inland water bodies and coastal areas. To keep Singapore’s water clean, soil pollution must also be controlled, as pollutants in the soil can enter the water system as run-off or groundwater.
Who founded Singapore River?
Later, in the early 1800s, Temenggong Abdul Rahman and his followers built their settlement at the river mouth. The founding of modern Singapore by Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1819 brought economic opportunities to this same spot, attracting thousands of immigrants.
Is Singapore River man made?
Since time immemorial, centuries before Stamford Raffles founded the island of Singapore in 1819, the Singapore in its original geographic position and location existed. The Singapore River is not man-made as one might think; its size, shape, length and location was naturally created.
Why is Singapore River so important?
Singapore’s free port status and strategic location attracted all types of sailing craft, especially those plying the trade routes between India and China. From the beginning, the Singapore River had been the focal point of trading activities. The river’s calm waters served as the harbour for the growing settlement.
How did Singapore get clean?
The Keep Singapore Clean campaign was one of Singapore’s first national campaigns as an independent nation. Launched on 1 October 1968 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the month-long campaign aimed to make Singapore the cleanest and greenest city in the region by addressing the problem of inconsiderate littering.
What has the Singapore government done to ensure water sustainability?
For over two decades, Singapore’s National Water Agency, PUB, has successfully added large-scale nationwide rainwater harvesting, used water collection, treatment and reuse, and seawater desalination to its portfolio of conventional water sources, so the nation-state can achieve long-term water sustainability.
What is Singapore doing to save water?
NEWater, Singapore’s success story and a pillar of water sustainability, is a high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water that is further purified using advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection, hence making it ultra-clean and safe to drink.