NEWater

NEWater

NEWater is a brand of ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board (PUB). It is a key pillar of Singapore's water sustainability strategy, which also includes water importation, local catchment water, and desalinated water. NEWater is produced from treated used water that is further purified using advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection, making it ultra-clean and safe to drink.

Production Process

The production of NEWater involves a three-step process. The first step is microfiltration, where treated used water is passed through membranes to remove suspended solids, colloidal particles, disease-causing bacteria, and some viruses. The second step is reverse osmosis, where a semi-permeable membrane is used to remove dissolved salts, organics, bacteria, and viruses. The final step is ultraviolet disinfection to ensure that all organisms are inactivated and the water is free from microorganisms.

Uses

NEWater is primarily used for industrial and commercial purposes, particularly in wafer fabrication plants and other industries where ultra-pure water is required. It is also used for air-conditioner cooling towers in commercial buildings. A small percentage of NEWater is also mixed with reservoir water and then treated at conventional water treatment plants to produce portable water.

Quality Assurance

The quality of NEWater is assured through rigorous monitoring and a comprehensive quality control program. The Public Utilities Board (PUB) conducts over 500,000 analyses annually on over 300 parameters, which is more than World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water.

Environmental Impact

The production of NEWater has a lower environmental impact compared to other water supply options. It reduces the amount of used water discharged into the sea and also decreases Singapore's dependence on imported water.

See Also

• Water supply and sanitation in Singapore
• Water management in Singapore
• Water scarcity