Water conflicts between Malaysia and Singapore
Encyclopedia
Singapore
and Malaysia have a long standing conflict
over water supplies
.
The first water agreement was signed between His Highness the Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territories of Johore and the Municipal Commissioners of the Town of Singapore on 5 December 1927. This agreement is no longer in force.
On 1 September 1961, the Federation of Malaya
signed an agreement giving Singapore the right to draw up to 86 million impgals (390,963.7 m³) of water per day collectively from the Tebrau River, the Scudai River, the Pontian Reservoir, and the Gunung Pulai Reservoir, with effect through 2011. On 29 September 1962, a further agreement was signed providing Singapore the right to draw up to 250 million impgals (1,136,522.5 m³) per day from the Johore River, with effect through 2061. Both agreements stipulated the price of 3 Malaysian cents per 1000 gallons (4,546.1 l).
The Malaysian government has stated that the agreements were signed during a different time and that the price should increase. They cite the example of water sold by China to Hong Kong in the past, which was approximately $8 per 1000 gallons (4,546.1 l). However, this price comparison is not directly applicable because while China has borne the cost of constructing and maintaining the infrastructure to provide water to Hong Kong, Singapore paid for all the costs of the reservoirs in Johore, the dams, pipelines, plant, equipment, etc. and Singapore continues to pay all the costs of operating and maintaining this infrastructure.
Malaysia has always been a reliable provider of water to Singapore, but Malaysia has often used threats of cutting off the water supply to pressure Singapore politically. Seeking greater political independence and freedom from such pressures, Singapore has pursued a costly strategy of developing self-sufficiency of water sources.
As of 2003, about 40% of Singapore's water came from Malaysia. This proportion has been decreasing as Singapore has pursued its Four Tap Strategy
of sourcing water from rainwater, recycling, desalination, and importation. As new desalination and recycling plants come online and new dams are built to create additional reservoirs, Singapore's dependence on imported water decreases. With decreasing dependence, the potential for water conflicts
is reduced.
By 2010, Singapore had constructed five Newater
plants, a desalination plant and a new water barrage to increase rainwater supply. The Newater/Desalination plants have the capability to supply 40% of Singapore's water needs as at 2010. Due to the limit of rainwater catchment, new investment is being planned with a tender for 2nd and larger desalination plant to be constructed by 2013.
Singapore's water needs are anticipated to double in the next 50 years. Planned Newater output will triple to meet 50% of needs by year 2060 whilst desalination investment will raise output to meet 30% of needs. By the expiry of the 1962 water agreement in 2061, the necessity for Malaysia water import should be eliminated.
On 31 August 2011, the 1961 water agreement expired and the waterworks and facilities were handed over to the Johor state government. The handover included the Skudai and Gunung Pulai water treatment plants, which were built and managed by PUB for 50 years, as well as two pump houses in Pontian and Tebrau
.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Malaysia have a long standing conflict
Water conflict
Water conflict is a term describing a conflict between countries, states, or groups over an access to water resources. The United Nations recognizes that water disputes result from opposing interests of water users, public or private....
over water supplies
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
.
The first water agreement was signed between His Highness the Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territories of Johore and the Municipal Commissioners of the Town of Singapore on 5 December 1927. This agreement is no longer in force.
On 1 September 1961, the Federation of Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
signed an agreement giving Singapore the right to draw up to 86 million impgals (390,963.7 m³) of water per day collectively from the Tebrau River, the Scudai River, the Pontian Reservoir, and the Gunung Pulai Reservoir, with effect through 2011. On 29 September 1962, a further agreement was signed providing Singapore the right to draw up to 250 million impgals (1,136,522.5 m³) per day from the Johore River, with effect through 2061. Both agreements stipulated the price of 3 Malaysian cents per 1000 gallons (4,546.1 l).
The Malaysian government has stated that the agreements were signed during a different time and that the price should increase. They cite the example of water sold by China to Hong Kong in the past, which was approximately $8 per 1000 gallons (4,546.1 l). However, this price comparison is not directly applicable because while China has borne the cost of constructing and maintaining the infrastructure to provide water to Hong Kong, Singapore paid for all the costs of the reservoirs in Johore, the dams, pipelines, plant, equipment, etc. and Singapore continues to pay all the costs of operating and maintaining this infrastructure.
Malaysia has always been a reliable provider of water to Singapore, but Malaysia has often used threats of cutting off the water supply to pressure Singapore politically. Seeking greater political independence and freedom from such pressures, Singapore has pursued a costly strategy of developing self-sufficiency of water sources.
As of 2003, about 40% of Singapore's water came from Malaysia. This proportion has been decreasing as Singapore has pursued its Four Tap Strategy
Water resources of Singapore
Water supply and sanitation in Singapore is characterized by a number of achievements in the challenging environment of a densely populated island. Access to water is universal, affordable, efficient and of high quality...
of sourcing water from rainwater, recycling, desalination, and importation. As new desalination and recycling plants come online and new dams are built to create additional reservoirs, Singapore's dependence on imported water decreases. With decreasing dependence, the potential for water conflicts
Water conflicts
Water conflict is a term describing a conflict between countries, states, or groups over an access to water resources. The United Nations recognizes that water disputes result from opposing interests of water users, public or private....
is reduced.
By 2010, Singapore had constructed five Newater
NEWater
NEWater is the brand name given to reclaimed water produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board. More specifically, it is treated wastewater that has been purified using dual-membrane and ultraviolet technologies, in addition to conventional water treatment processes...
plants, a desalination plant and a new water barrage to increase rainwater supply. The Newater/Desalination plants have the capability to supply 40% of Singapore's water needs as at 2010. Due to the limit of rainwater catchment, new investment is being planned with a tender for 2nd and larger desalination plant to be constructed by 2013.
Singapore's water needs are anticipated to double in the next 50 years. Planned Newater output will triple to meet 50% of needs by year 2060 whilst desalination investment will raise output to meet 30% of needs. By the expiry of the 1962 water agreement in 2061, the necessity for Malaysia water import should be eliminated.
On 31 August 2011, the 1961 water agreement expired and the waterworks and facilities were handed over to the Johor state government. The handover included the Skudai and Gunung Pulai water treatment plants, which were built and managed by PUB for 50 years, as well as two pump houses in Pontian and Tebrau
Tebrau
Tebrau or Teberau is a largest mukim in Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia.-Townships:*Bandar Dato' Onn*Adda Heights*Taman Delima*Taman Daya*Setia Indah*Taman Mount Austin*Desa Tebrau*Taman Istimewa*Taman Bukit Mutiara...
.