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  Straits Times Forum 7 Nov 06
Reward households that reduce water consumption
Letter from Lum Yew Wai

Straits Times Forum 6 Nov 06
Reduced water use more than about saving money
Reply from Chong Hou Chun Director Water Supply (Network) PUB

Straits Times Forum 4 Nov 06
Unfortunate that not enough people are motivated to consume less water
Letter from Agnes Sng Hwee Lee (Ms) Sofia, Bulgaria

Straits Times Online 2 Nov 06
Use less water but how much money is saved?
Letter from Nuryusman Mohamed Ibrahim

Today Online 1 Nov 06
Saving water, cutting bills
Govt launches new water-efficiency labelling scheme
Sheralyn Tay sheralyn@mediacorp.com.sg

THAT washing machine of yours uses 125 litres of water--or 10 full buckets of water--for every 5kg load of laundry.

But not all washing machines have to guzzle that much water. When you next go shopping for a new washing machine, look out for a teardrop sticker. The machine with three ticks on the sticker can help you save more than 60 per cent of water consumption, by just using 45 litres for the same load.

Yesterday, Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim unveiled the new water-efficiency labelling scheme to help consumers identify and choose such environmentally friendly products.

An appliance can have one to three ticks indicating water efficiency. A dual-flushing low capacity cistern for your toilet that has one tick saves some 29 litres, while one with three ticks saves 36 or more litres a day.

Already, some 14 brands encompassing almost 70 water devices or appliances have already been granted the efficiency label, which is jointly administered by the Singapore Environment Council and the Public Utilities Board.

Speaking at the opening of the Eco-Products International Fair (EPIF), Dr Yaacob said that the scheme would help save money in the long run.

"Upfront (costs) may be higher but if you think over the life cycle, you actually will pay less. So we want Singaporeans to take a long-term view. You may buy something cheaper and then they have high energy cost and they come to see the MP asking how they can help to pay the utility bills," he said.

The Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark scheme will also include the water labelling scheme, so new buildings incorporating water saving devices such as dual-flushing cisterns will be assessed on these environmentally friendly criteria as well.

The EPIF, held for the first time in Singapore, is the largest fair to date, with more than 100 exhibitors showcasing products such as eco-friendly furniture and energy saving devices.

Straits Times Online 2 Nov 06
Use less water but how much money is saved?
Letter from Nuryusman Mohamed Ibrahim

I REFER to the article 'Water-efficient appliance? Look for 3 ticks' (ST, Oct 31). May I congratulate the authorities for the initiative set forth by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Singapore Environment Council (SEC) to lower the water consumption of each person in Singapore.

I am impressed that a water-efficient washing machine needs to use only 45 litres for a 5kg wash load compared to 125 litres in 'regular' washing machines.

What I am not so impressed with is the amount of savings from such an endeavour, a measly 5 per cent savings off a consumer's water bill.

Can the relevant authorities enlighten me on how such a small saving is derived. One would have expected that cutting down water consumption by almost a third would result in a reduction of a consumer's water bill by a similar proportion.

What could I be missing here?

I understand that this initiative is part of a larger campaign that aims to cut each individual's water consumption from 160 litres to 155 litres per day by 2012. While this may be achieveable statistically, the only way to attract the interest of individual households is to ensure that their efforts to use water-efficient products are rewarded with substantial monetary savings.

On this, the relevant authorities may need to work harder as I feel that 5 per cent off an individual household's water bill is, in this context, a trickle.

Straits Times Forum 4 Nov 06
Unfortunate that not enough people are motivated to consume less water
Letter from Agnes Sng Hwee Lee (Ms) Sofia, Bulgaria

MR NURYUSMAN Mohamed Ibrahim made a good observation that 'the interest of individual households is to ensure that their efforts to use water-efficient products are rewarded with substantial monetary savings'. ('Use less water but how much money is saved?'; ST, Nov 2).

While this is true, it is unfortunate that not enough people are motivated to consume less water for the important reason that it is a precious resource, and in countries like Singapore, a scarce one as well.

While Newater and desalination may have eased the scarcity in Singapore, hopefully Singaporeans will not see saving water only in monetary terms.

When water is available at too low a price, it encourages waste. If it costs substantially less to wash a 5kg wash load, consumers may be tempted to wash their laundry every day instead of three times a week, resulting in higher consumption of water.

So perhaps 'a measly 5 per cent savings off a consumer's water bill' will prevent people wasting water.

Incentives could instead come in other forms such as tax rebates or discounts for buying appliances 'with three ticks'.

But the ideal will be when everyone can see beyond saving water only in terms of dollars and cents.

Straits Times Forum 6 Nov 06
Reduced water use more than about saving money
Reply from Chong Hou Chun Director Water Supply (Network) PUB

PUB, the national water agency, thanks Mr Nuryusman Mohamed Ibrahim for his letter, 'Use less water but how much money is saved?' (ST, Nov 2).

The Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme launched last week will allow Singaporeans to make an informed decision when choosing a water fitting or washing machine. Under this scheme, products are graded on water efficiency, with three ticks for products that use the least water.

Mr Nuryusman asked why a water-efficient washing machine that saves 80 litres of water per wash results in a saving of 5 per cent of the monthly water bill.

This is based on an average of three washes a week. In bigger households that use the washing machine daily, savings could go up to as much as 12 per cent a month. Besides laundry, other activities that use water include showering, washing at the sink and toilet flushing.

Home owners can save more by adopting water-saving practices and using water-efficient showerheads, taps and dual-flush cisterns. Taking shorter showers, running the washing machine on full load and recycling water from washing machines for toilet flushing are some ways that will lead to lower water consumption.

As water is a precious resource, we should all play our part to use it wisely. Besides monetary savings from reduced water use, more importantly, this will help ensure we have enough water for future generations.


Straits Times Forum 7 Nov 06
Reward households that reduce water consumption
Letter from Lum Yew Wai

I REFER to the letter by Ms Agnes Sng Hwee Lee (ST Online Forum; Nov 4) on motivating Singaporeans to consume less water.

While generally I am at one with her sentiments on water conservation, I feel cost must figure large as it is real and a tangible way to reach the man in the street.

I am not suggesting the Govt impose even more punitive or exorbitant charges or taxes on potable water, but rather that the National Environment Agency (NEA) should apprise Singaporeans, dispassionately and accurately, of the high cost and other impacts of making these alternative solutions a significant source of our water supply.

We should be careful not to overly reassure or give the impression that we have effectively licked the problem.

We have not, at least not until we have an actual (and costly) alternative supply system going full steam. There is the danger of complacency creeping into the Singaporean mind.

While it is important to reassure, it is equally important to realise that while alternatives like Newater and desalinated water are technologically feasible, they come at a high price which must be passed on to consumers.

Is it not appropriate now for the NEA to publicise theoretical cost models for households based on size if these alternatives should ever become a significant part of our water supply system?

Aside from this, it is also timely for the NEA to introduce new and more equitable schemes to reward - yes, reward - consumers who make the effort to reduce consumption.

The current 'double-whammy' water consumption tax is purely punitive. For example, if a consumer shows consecutive reduction of a certain percentage over a quarter, reward him with vouchers or credits which can be accumulated and used to pay PUB bills.

If over a calendar year a household reduces overall consumption compared to the previous year, reward that too. This way, consumers can see their efforts pay off.

While I am mindful of the impact of being open to Singaporeans about alternative water cost in the Government's negotiations with our Malaysian neighbour, this should be balanced carefully against the need for transparency to help Singaporeans come to grips with this issue.
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