Singapore's 50 Year March Towards Water Independence

In a previous video, I talked about Hong Kong's water supply and its relations to the Chinese mainland. If you want to watch that video first, you can. It is an interesting overview of the colony's attempts to build for itself a drinking water supply independent of China.
In this video, I want to discuss a similar water supply situation. Except the two parties are Singapore and Malaysia rather than Hong Kong and China. Their history of water relations and what means for the island country is fascinating.
Edit: At 6:05 I misspoke about Lee Kuan Yew’s position. He was just Senior Minister at the time, not Senior Prime Minister.
Links to Videos Mentioned:
- Hong Kong's Water Supply: • British Hong Kong's St...
- Looking Back at Malaysia's New Economic Policy: • Looking Back at Malays...
Links:
- The Asianometry Newsletter: asianometry.com
- Patreon: / asianometry

[@Asianometry]

After watching this video, check out another video on the "Sun Cable" Megaproject, aiming to pipe solar power from Australia to all the way to Singapore via undersea high voltage cables: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYulkneimpqBmLc

[@WAITWHUT-wl2uj]

Even Saudi Arabia couldn't currently crack the code for water and still facing the same problem of massive salt output that could threaten sea floor and other environment problem. I guess everyone only focus on the positive than the negative impact. 🤣

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

Project is over

[@veekwok5611]

Singapore is one of the most forward looking countries in the world. The government plans well ahead and already working on future food sufficiency and the adverse effects of climate change. Singapore will survive any crisis.

[@Asianometry]

We need your optimism in the comments section of my video on Chartered Semiconductor

[@faisalzulkar9189]

They must think forward for survive. There are no natural resources.

[@killcat1971]

Unless China invades, or the wet bulb temp gets too high.

[@hailyrizzo5428]

Don't be arrogant. How are you going to survive the melting polar ice caps. You gonna drink it all up? LOL

[@veekwok5611]

@@hailyrizzo5428 There is no arrogance here, just facts. For your Info, Singapore already planned for mitigating the adverse effect of rising sea level. Singapore taking steps to respond to rising sea levels, kzbin.info?search_query=singapore+tackle+rising+sea+level NDR 2019: Singapore may build polders, dykes to protect eastern coastline from rising sea levels, kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIa3kpeqerhgn5I And this is not from me, but from a foreigner's perspective: Singapore's $100 Billion Survival Plan, kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHWkepRpr9hnaqM

[@johnwig285]

Fun fact: Singapore helped Malaysia during the drought in Johor and flooding in Kedah. SG sent PUB engineers and combat engineers from the army to Kedah to set up portable water pump stations.

[@johnnywoo8029]

Another key point in the conservation if the water in Singapore isn't just managing it from the water sources. Theres the statutory on the guidelines on building design in water fittings that helps reduce water usage drastically. this applies to all the types of basins, water taps, and all fittings allowed in authority water submission. Costs of construction is increased but in long terms it's a savingsfrom bills as well as reducing consumption level.

[@shazmosushi]

Through and accessible mini-documentary on the water management policies of Singapore. Great job. Makes me want to play Sim City (or City Skylines).

[@glzz1115]

you should have added that Singapore did help Johor with water during their drought.

[@craigtheng]

In World War 2 the Japanese cut off the water supply to Singapore to pressure the British into surrendering. Most documentaries frame the British surrender of a numerically superior force to the smaller Japanese force as a humiliating blunder, without understanding or acknowledging the water situation in the city.

[@SullyOrchestration]

Could you do more videos on the present Malaysian economy/political landscape? I'm from Malaysia and I'd like to know the perspective of third-party analysts such as yourself. Malaysians also love to hear people talking about their country, hopefully you'll get more subscribers/views from them too!

[@Asianometry]

They’re pretty vocal, that’s for sure. I did one on the NEP. Watch that one if you haven’t already.

[@dannyfubar3099]

Another excellent post. I also wanted to Thank You for sharing a "Look Back at the Sino-Vietnamese War." I finally have a better understanding of that Chinese Invasion into Vietnam.

[@MrAudioBill]

Thank you for your unbiased explanation of events, developments and tech history. Your breadth of coverage is commendable.

[@rammahesh3349]

Thanks for your valuable information

[@limulin8948]

Many thanks for this succinct informative video! Excellent!

[@chengmunwai]

I'm from Malaysia. And it's not uncommon for us here to experience temporary water outage (occasionally due to contamination) and at the same time (on the same day itself) have rain so heavy some roads are so flooded that cars cannot be driven through.

[@Seramics]

Bad players caused contamination by intentionally polluting our waters. They should be dealt with extremely severely. Flash floods is mostly due to local drainage blockage, which caused major block to water flow, preventing rain water to flow out to river n sea. Irresponsible people throw rubbish n stuff into local drainage n caused flood, they too should be dealt with seriously. The Selangor local council did a check, n found even furniture is thrown into the large drains. Its ridiculous. In short, Spore is not our enemy. Spore has many valuable lessons Msia can learn to be better. We are naturally synergistic with each other. SG has solutions to our problems, and Msia has solutions to SG problems. Its better we work together on deeper level n achieve success n progress together.

[@cj-fx2kj]

Then move to singapore la chinese. We dont want more cine in malaysia u caj mmgrate to other country 👉🏻👁👁👈🏻🤣

[@simroysten7963]

Facts to point out : 1. Raw water in Johor IF NOT sold to Singapore goes down the drain. 2. Singapore is the only confirmed buyer (so far). 3. Drought in Johor could be alleviated by drawing more Singapore treated water (confirmed to be of better quality due to advanced technologies & drinkable from the tap). 4. The 40 percentage figure of imported water has remained stagnant at least for a number of years. So this figure gives the Singapore Government the excuse to increase the tariffs on water usage. So this made the Malaysian politicians believe that they have our throats. (SunTze's Art Of War : When strong appear weak). This figure is arbitrary. 5. The custodian of the water source in Johor State is rightfully also the owner of the water source, namely His Highness The Sultan Of Johor. Sources revealed that the Johor Royal Family is peeved that politicians from KL has been using "Johor Water" as a pawn for political games. The Johor Royal Family are good friends of Singapore and people from Singapore are aware of this fact.

[@lzh4950]

Heard of the belief that Singapore's government could manage to pursue a "divide & conquer" -like strategy by being friendlier to Johor's state government & monarch ( _sultan_ ) than Malaysia's central/federal government (I think what also comes into play is that many Johor residents (~300,000?) work in Singapore due to its higher incomes)

[@simroysten7963]

@@lzh4950 This belief is wrong and and not based on facts. There are various factors that the Johor Royal Famiy including their extended families are on good and closer terms with Singapore. 1. Close proximity compared to KL (15 to 350km) 2. Royal properties in SGP since colonial times 3. Some royal family have their education there 4. Royal privileges extended to Sultan's immediate family 5. Shopping/tailoring and medical treatment (years ago, I witnessed the Sultan came only with his ADC himself driving a metallic blue Volvo Sports Car JD1 orJD2) to a Changi Village tailor) 6. International travel thru SGP airport etc etc

[@cj-fx2kj]

@@simroysten7963 nope. U dont know us. Royal johor and other royal malay in malaysia will never trust chniese sgpore.

[@ultimaxed8239]

@@cj-fx2kj lololol, based on your logic, the Johor royals and Mahathir must love each other🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@classicmusicforall2015]

A new desalination plant will take around 2 years to build, Singapore can be self sufficient within short period if need to. Best is if solar panel can provide all the necessary energy for desalination, then Singapore may one day not only self sufficient in water supply but also sustainability as well. The current SG daily desalination capacity is 160mgd, likely to reach 190m mgd this year when the new 5th desalination plant is ready in Jurong island,. 190/430 = 44% of current daily consumption of 430mgd.

[@angeluscorpius]

And then there are the NEWater plants with about 200 mgd capacity. 190 + 200 = 390. And then there is still local catchment (our 17 reservoirs). I'm sure they can cover the shortfall.

[@juvezhang1715]

Desalinated water maybe not good for drinking water, good for bathroom, kitchen etc. For drinking water better natural water.

[@lzh4950]

Sounds like how desalination is done on the Greek island of Symi (saltwater is pumped into a greenhouse-like dome IIRC where water evaporates & then condenses on the inner surface of the roof, leaving the salt behind)

[@pointofview899]

Good and informative, cheers!😀😀😀

[@lynetttte]

I like your sense of humor.

[@lembkamb]

What I like about your channel besides topic about semiconductor, you also talk about water. The commodity which one day will be so precious, some expert say there will be war because of it

[@90taetaeya]

Glad that Singapore is achieving full water independence. It is ironic it pays for water from the source that’s least reliable.

[@fartboystinks]

Well, at least they are honouring the contract

[@cancelledcancelled]

We take the water, process it, then sell it back

[@MrBoliao98]

Simply it's cheaper than we ownself go and build reservoir, build newater, new desalination.

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

At least its cheaper

[@jc4448]

Dumb we can’t supply ourselves now. Don’t even talk about last times

[@MrKotBonifacy]

I've learned from my friend living in Johor Bahru that local "home use" water tariffs are designed in such a way, that when a household usage of water stays below certain threshold, the water is free - and you are charged for it only when you use more than "free allowance"- and the more you get above it, the pricey the water becomes. Don't know details, it was just a casual remark made during conversation, and I don't know whether this policy is still in force (the conversation took place in 2012 AFAIR).

[@sarcasmo57]

Water is always interesting.

[@CLXH]

In many aspects, Malaysia and Singapore are like a divorced couple who had no choice but still sleep on the same bed .

[@DarkPa1adin]

Johor and SG. How about KL and Johor?

[@Tungku66]

Not the same bed! Same house different rooms.

[@chanboonyee6788]

STOP BRINGING IN ANALOGIES TO COMPARE THE TWO COUNTRIES.SINCE THE SPLIT MORE THAN FIVE DECADES AGO,MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE HAVE UNDERGONE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES NOT ONLY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY BUT IN CHARACTERISTICS AS WELL.MOST MALAYSIANS NOW SEE SINGAPORE AS A FOREIGN NATION NO LESS NO MORE AND VICE-VERSA.YES,SINGAPORE SHOULD DEVELOP WATER DEPENDENCE ON ITS OWN BUT WOULD MALAYSIANS CARE? WHETHER SINGAPORE SINKS OR RISES IS NONE OF OUR CONCERN.

[@ketunky3056]

Singapore is female partner😂

[@oneviwatara9384]

@@chanboonyee6788 What's the beef between the two countries?

[@syedputra5955]

What most d8d not know is the water catchment area under singapore's PUB control in johore is as big if not bigger than singapore island. The water charges includes the control of the land. Johore baru itself has turned onto a metropolitan area and is in need of that water also.

[@HappyfoxBiz]

@asianometry this video is listed twice in the "Water" playlist currently in position 1 and position 3... might I also suggest doing it in an order that is to do with stories in series rather than just releasing it as you release the videos, that way people don't have a jarring sense when they go from one episode to another and are happy for the follow up to be right after the video

[@natashatercera8536]

Would love for you dj do a video on how Saudi Arabia became the worlds largest desalinator of water

[@rajasingammuthusamy959]

I have access to 100,000 hectares with huge river streams of water resources for development.

[@tanchye1720]

Both ends of Pulau Ubin if possible can be condoned of to form a huge reservoir, like the Marina Barrage. This new source will made Singapore totally independent from Malaysia water supply otherwise Singapore will always be held ‘hostage’ in this regard.

[@maxwalker1159]

Cool

[@thomaskoala5500]

Use of desalination plants has also its drawbacks. High energy demand and high salt content around the discharge points.

[@tixchicken]

With HVDC coming from Australia’s solar farms maybe they can build more desalination plants and be carbon neutral - the energy recovery systems are also getting better. With recycled water also can ween off Malaysian water.

[@springgal265]

Im glad has clean water where alot of places r polluted.

[@user-fu1cj9co8u]

Before the sequel in 2061 comes out, a good video on this topic might be a postmortem on Hyflux. Some parallels to Chartered Semiconductors might be made as well...

[@yaibanking]

I think unless a much more efficient desalination solution is found, there will be no win-win solution for both sides. Both side need more water.

[@Seramics]

The Msian problem is PvP. SG is PvE. Msian side need to tackle the foul players who constantly try to pollute the water to try to bring difficulty to the people. Msian problems is human factor. SG problems is environmental n natural factor.

[@yaibanking]

@@Seramics I would agree with you when I am a younger person, however as my age catches on, I think what your opinion needs to consider is compassion. Since you did not offer any facts and solutions except encouraging the other side to take the strongest mother of all actions against the polluters and to be like you. I will consider it to be just an opinion. Human beings have always depend on the environment for their livelihood. There are many types of polluters in M'sia and M'sia is still relatively very poor when compared to Singapore. So have a heart, give a hand to save the poor and stop trying to dictate their poor lives like what their political parties are doing to them.

[@dwchen1]

Singapore probably learn a lot from Israel because that country is king when talking about water treatment.

[@tkyap2524]

When you depend on others, they will always have an advantage over you.

[@MrBoliao98]

This is why Singapore got so much alternative. Like seriously Johor suppose to have so much water, and yet they wholeday in JB have water rationing.

[@KatJade269]

Eh, SG buying treated water from MY after 2061, will it be potable? Of course, MY may not even want to sell to SG. Well, another 37 years to go. (now 2024). Let’s see. I’ve the confidence that SG can overcome it.

[@laurence82]

Thanks god Singapore is independent and thank god we are marching towards water sufficiency. Imagine having neighbour like Malaysia, disgusting behaviour

[@cj-fx2kj]

Hahaha in your dream. U cant never survive alone especially without our chicken and water lol

[@ultimaxed8239]

@@cj-fx2kj Johor depends on Singapore for treated water, and Singapore are already self sustaining with its 4 taps strategy. Chicken on the other hand shows how weak Malaysian farms are and it was Singapore that kept you afloat until the ban. On the other hand, Singapore found new importers from Indonesia, Australia and namely Thailand who gladly supplied Singapore with 10X the amount of chickens. 😁

[@cj-fx2kj]

@@ultimaxed8239 hahhaa u think u can get easy supply of fresh chicken from countries that only can across the boarder using ship and planes lol.

[@ultimaxed8239]

@@cj-fx2kj ever heard of ships called tankers? Malaysia depends on them to supply feed to grow their chickens And not to forget that Singapore have its own domestic chicken farms as well😁

[@cj-fx2kj]

@@ultimaxed8239 u all just gonna eat synthetic meat in future 😂

[@Jsmith1611]

Hi love your videos but have 0 interest in a newsletter.

[@Asianometry]

Make sure to sign up to the newsletter!

[@eggwok7490]

@@Asianometry lol

[@listeningwatching1872]

@@Asianometry 🤣🤣🤣

[@Amidat]

Another example of why Lee Kwan Yew said Hong Kong had an easier life since it is part of China.

[@laocheebye]

There is no more HK now.

[@utubegeronimo7628]

Then, why more and more HK people are migrating to Singapore?

[@pepelemoko01]

Taiwan is having water problems at the moment.

[@lzh4950]

Interestingly I heard it's due to a lack of typhoons last year

[@TheOldmankk]

All policies bow to the liquid that produce lives. PUB has never outsourced their responsibility and duties to others. Zero $ mandatory took over the Hyflux Tuas Spring.

[@lzh4950]

Heard Hyflux was overambitious & underbid for the TuasSpring desalination-cum power generation project (the fuel burnt to desalinate water would be used to generate electricity too), & the company became financially undone as electricity prices became lower than expected (maybe the company is secretly cursing at the country's Open Electricity Market introduced in 2018 for lowering electricity prices), to the extent that the value of the TuasSpring reportedly became negative (the company lacked funds to maintain its water filters too I heard), & I guess to make it sound nicer the Public Utilities Board (PUB) proposed to take it over for free

[@thatsawesome2060]

This title make me thinking 3 cent for every 1000 gallon water is to expensive for Singapore and they barely can afford that.

[@chutorosushi1925]

And malaysia still always have water cut

[@bowlampar]

Supply from Malaysia is reliable, plentiful and cost is very low....Singapore processed the raw water and sell for higher price to everyone. The profit is enormous and demands is very high for Public Water Utility Agency. 😘

[@jont2576]

cheap malaysian water still accounts for the bulk of our drinking water.......desalination and reverse osmosis is simply just too expensive and energy intensive and requires huge tariffs to make it work.

[@springgal265]

Sg

[@caponekartel]

Good....soon no more water issue with spore...finally...

[@sinoroman]

will be funny if in 2100, singapore sells water to malaysia

[@MrBoliao98]

I won't be surprise eh, if we were to handback the Linggiu Reservoir, they will pollute, mess it up, or not maintain. And then they will be buying drinking water from Singapore. It is not funny, it is going to be a fact of life. Just look at KL, Penang, so often you hear water rationing either the reservoir empty or worse, polluted.

[@TheOldmankk]

Very likely, simply look at Johore State population grow and its unplanned water resources.

[@MrBoliao98]

@@TheOldmankk mind you everyday got industrial pollution of their reservoir

[@TheOldmankk]

@@MrBoliao98 Yesterday evening was watching CNA insider documentary about saving Indonesia Java Citarum river. What a nightmare to clean up and revitalize their century old precious river.

[@MrBoliao98]

@@TheOldmankk people think it's easy to go and say clean up the rivers around Punggol, you know how much pig waste and rubbish was inside, goodness.

[@blueranger9092]

Why my gov never told us the new generation about this. One day i just stumbled across foreigner KZbin video explaining water issue in my country. The heck

[@TrojanHell]

>take well to that :D:D:D:D:D:D

[@someone862]

Arrakis

[@Sky-8646]

Lky almost sent army to Malaysia when they threaten to cut off water supply to Singapore.. lol..

[@Sky-8646]

@@iamgreat1234 funny thing is Malaysia still in third world when lky die..

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

@@iamgreat1234 When he died, the amount of respect displayed was clear locally and globally. Will Mahathir be able to earn that level of respect when his time comes? You are going to judge and mock a person based on their age and life span as compared to their work and contributions. Typical mentality

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

@@iamgreat1234 keep lying to yourself. While we grow and develope you fail to see the errors and backward mind of your own ways. For decades we were mocked insulted for whatever reasons. Keep on with this, the more we will strive to do better :) While you live in ignorance What talent do you have if Singapore has no talent. Everyone has talents all countries do

[@Sky-8646]

@@iamgreat1234 please don't associate lky with Malaysia politician.. lky is singaporean and don't make me laugh when you said Malaysia politician talent. You mean najib corruptions?..😂😂😂😂

[@georgeho8997]

@@iamgreat1234 That's not a good thing at all to Malaysia. Senility in the government is killing Malaysia.

[@AvadaKedavra943]

Why doesn’t Singapore invade Malaysia?

[@AnonozChong]

Nobody sane likes conflicts tbh. It wont benefit Singapore.

[@Asianometry]

I quote a famous American song: “War. What is it good for, Absolutely nothing”

[@kentershackle1329]

Cos Refugee will flood Singapore soo much, Singaporean will become a minority.

[@90taetaeya]

Nah, don’t want Malaysian land at all. But I wish we could have Christmas Island back. Hahaha.

[@danishraiyan3133]

@@90taetaeya YEAAAA....I HOPE WE GET IT BACK

[@leopang3539]

Desalination Plant, do not work economically for Singapore,they built desalination to show that they had an alternative source but will not work for long term.Singapore put up sale of desalination plant to Indonesia.Was operating at a loss since day one. Their industries will not have any factories that required high water usage. No hi- tech fab plant can be built at Singapore due to high water usage. Must remember that the paper recycle plant at Singapore was sold to Malaysia to high water usages

[@nickngunjiri4282]

Your video is malicious toward malaysia. There has never shortage of water in singapore

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

In the old days yes. Present days rarely. Shortage of water need not necessary be the resource itself but due to facilities and infrastructure. What Singapore lacks is sufficient water hence the need to draw water from Johor. That is the sole reason why Singapore is still here. The water agreement being signed internationally at the UN also holds a significant value on it such that it is honoured. Johor has always honoured the agreement. Malaysia's issue varies. Depending on states. Some could be due to the dry season. Which means the resource itself is impacted. While others are due to disruptions. Like pollution disrupting the water supply or infrastructure issues like pipes.

[@kentershackle1329]

Cmon guys, the Goverment is making tons if monies selling these FWater to Ships that comes into Singapore Ports. Piped water should be cheap to the pple.

[@akzmin3759]

That monies to recover the full costs of its supply and production, but also to incorporate the higher cost of producing water from unconventional sources, specifically NEWater and desalinated water. Also, goes towards meeting the cost of water treatment, reservoir operations, NEWater production, desalination, used water collection and treatment, as well as the maintenance and expansion of the island-wide network of water pipelines.

[@aa-pm6dx]

Water independant. What about space. Singapore will not last long as it will dont have more space to build apartment😂🤣

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

Build buildings higher. Or go underground. Maximise land use. Smarter planning Reclaim land.

[@boonyee4421]

No problem. Singapore can persuade China to incorporate it as a SAR like Hong Kong and divert some population over there to help develope the interiors of the Mainland.

[@utubegeronimo7628]

Singapore can move part of its population to the interiors of China and simultaneously, help to develope them.

[@jasonreviews]

man how many chinese cities are there? LOLs. LA itself can call itself a chinese city.

[@andro7862]

LA is nothing compared to Vancouver.

[@AnonozChong]

Wait until you learn of the hakka republics on borneo island, like Lanfang Republic founded right after US independence.

[@jasonreviews]

@@andro7862 yes I know about hong Kouver. I used to work for cantonese NCIX. The C is cantonese....

[@Amidat]

there are far more Chinese in NYC than LA

[@KhairulFadzlyAKarim]

Please, have your own water so our water can be used for Malaysians.

[@laurence82]

err, where did you think Johor get their treated water from?

[@KhairulFadzlyAKarim]

@@laurence82 we can build our own if need to, the reason we get it from Singapore is because of politics from way long past. If Singapore want water Independence we can also have water treatment independence 🤷

[@laurence82]

@@KhairulFadzlyAKarim if if if, sampai tua

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

@@KhairulFadzlyAKarim work in progress. Until the 2nd water agreement 🤝 completes. Then we can move on. Hopefully.

[@kaynefryday1251]

Do not care

[@jeyaramanthangavelu2989]

Singaporean have willpower to face optical and hardship to face survival we learned lessons from Malaysia separation and hardship Our Leader LKY motivation we are today Singapore progress and development in technology in all resources

[@aa-pm6dx]

Singapore is always a malay land. We only have problem with chinese and indian.

[@Benjamin-wy4dj]

Why play racial? That's racist what has happened has happened

[@tokitoyotokitoyo]

@@Benjamin-wy4dj its not done yet, chinese will face huge backlash in this region.