Forum: Capturing rainwater key to Singapore’s water resilience

As a water-scarce nation, we agree with Mr Liu that it is important to manage rainwater collection as part of our long-term water security. Singapore has long recognised the importance of capturing, storing and using rainwater.

Since independence, we have expanded water catchment to about two-thirds of the country, making Singapore one of the few countries to harvest urban rainwater at scale. We have water storage across 17 reservoirs to date, with the 18th reservoir to be created at the future Long Island. As part of this system, our drains within the water catchment area channel rainwater into our reservoirs, rather than lose the water out to sea.

In addition, the implementation of underground rainwater detention tanks such as the Stamford Detention Tank and those beneath some HDB estates serve to store excess rainwater temporarily during heavy storms. The excess rainwater is subsequently pumped back into public drains and channelled to our reservoirs. Such infrastructure helps to moderate the impact of intense rain, while also adding to our ability to capture more rainwater.

Ultimately, every drop counts. Capturing rainwater complements our other National Taps – imported water, NEWater and desalinated water – to meet Singapore’s water needs.

Maurice Neo
Director, Catchment and Waterways Department
PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency