FROM RIVERS TO RESERVOIRS: THE TRANSFORMATION AND INFLUENCE THEY HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Singapore has come a long way in terms of water resource management. From being a water scarce country that had to rely on water imports from Malaysia, Singapore has adopted a diversified approach, building a reliable supply of water to meet her growing demands. Today, Singapore's water demand are met by the "Four National Taps", which comprises of water from local catchment, imported water from Johor, NEWater (recycled water) and desalinated water. However, with water contracts with Malaysia about to expire, there is a need for Singapore to be a water self sufficient nation. With abundant rainfall enough to satisfy her water demand, why isn't Singapore capitalising more on water from local catchment? Singapore does not have natural aquifers or enough land to build new reservoirs. Instead, Singapore uses the existing rivers and transforms them into reservoirs by strategically damming its river mouths. These newly created reservoirs not only provide Singapore with potable water, but also have significant influence on the surrounding environments they are in. The paper will include studies on Singapore's different water resource strategies, before exploring more on the act of turning river to reservoir. It will look at the planning as well as the preparations required for the damming to take place. Local case studies will be analyzed to further explore the different ways in which the reservoirs have affected the surrounding environments, ultimately to deliver economic, social and environmental returns.