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NewsAsia, 26 Mar 05 Dr Yaacob says water catchment can be raised at Jurong West if test samples prove suitable By S. Ramesh SINGAPORE : Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said Singapore's water catchment could increase to 90 percent if test samples from the Jurong West area proved suitable for use. He said this in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's challenge to the Public Utilities Board (PUB) last week. Dr Yaacob was speaking to the media after launching a new kayaking centre, the Paddle Lodge, at MacRitche Reservoir on Saturday. At a Marina Barrage Commencement, Mr Lee had urged PUB to look into extracting water from the western region which could bring in another 25 percent to include in the reservoir catchment. PUB had told Mr Lee years ago that it was not possible because of industrial pollution in the water there. Dr Yaacob stressed that PUB has never shied away from looking at ways to expand the country's water resources and would continue to explore new technology. Dr Yaacob said: "What Minister Mentor is referring to is a policy that PUB has always taken, which is to try and tap as much water as possible from the rainfall in Singapore. "We will take water samples and we will learn what is the best technology out there and make the best decision based on cost and what is good for Singapore. "With the Marina Barrage, we are close to two-thirds. He wants us to increase it to 90 percent. I think in time to come, we will be able to achieve that challenge." While the Environment and Water Resources Ministry will undertake every effort to enlarge Singapore's water catchment, Dr Yaacob also emphasised that the public too has a responsibility to ensure the saving of water and the keeping of Singapore's waters clean. On its part, Dr Yaacob said the PUB had been engaging industries on ways they could adopt to make their production processes less pollutive. When the Marina Barrage is completed in 2007, giving birth to Singapore's 15th reservoir, the existing water catchment area will increase from half to two-thirds by 2009. - CNA links Related articles on Singapore: general environmental issues |
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