IGCSE Geography 0460
Geography 0460 Case Studies
3.6 Water supply in a country or area
Location: Singapore
Facts:
- Singapore is a small country with limited land to collect and store rainwater
- It has 4 different water sources
Water sources:
- Local catchment → Through rivers, drains, and canals, 2/3 of Singapore’s land collects rain into 17 reservoirs
- Imported water → Singapore imports water from Johor Bahru, Malaysia (neighbouring country)
- NEWater → Recycled greywater. By treating sewage with microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection. Because the water is extremely clean, it is mainly used for industrial purposes such as wafer fabrication. During dry periods, it is added to top up reservoirs
- Desalinated water → Singapore has 5 desalination plants, but the process is very expensive as it consumes a lot of energy
Last updated: Apr 2025