Effective management of water resources and waste is a constant challenge for all countries. Singapore's integrated water and waste management programme ensures access to basic sanitation and safe drinking water for the population. Singapore is honoured that its water management model has been internationally recognised as one of the most efficient in the world.

The Public Utlilities Board (PUB) is responsible for managing Singapore’s entire water cycle. Its concept of “Four National Taps”, consisting of local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water, ensures that the country will have a diversified and sustainable supply of water to meet our needs.

In 2002, Singapore received the Award of Excellence from the National Water Research Institute, USA, for our water recycling project. The NEWater project demonstrates Singapore's constant innovation in adopting advanced technologies to improve the quality, quantity, sustainability, and reliability of our water supply.

Our three NEWater factories have a total capacity of 92,000 m3/day (20 mgd). The NEWater produced by these plants will be used primarily for non-potable purposes. The switch to NEWater by the industrial and commercial sectors for non-potable purposes will also free up more reservoir water for potable use.

Besides supplying to industries, NEWater is also available for indirect potable use (IPU). This involves pumping NEWater into our reservoirs to be mixed and blended with raw water. PUB’s aim is to have, by 2011, up to 2.5% of our total daily water consumption introduced as NEWater into our reservoirs.

In August 2007, Singapore was awarded the Stockholm Industry Water Award. This recognition further reaffirmed our expertise in municipal water management.

Equally important is to have an effective solid waste management programme. Singapore’s total recycling rate has increased from 48% in 2004 to 56% in 2008. Waste recycling has made good headway and Singapore is on target to meet its goal of 60% overall waste recycling rate by 2012, as set out in the Singapore Green Plan 2012. High recycling rates have been achieved for a number of waste streams such as construction and demolition waste, used slag and ferrous metal. To further encourage Singaporeans to recycle, centralised recycling bins have also been installed in many public areas.

Through these efforts in handling solid waste, Singapore has been recognised as being one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the region.

All statistics and figures are accurate as of July 2009