A focus group study by national water agency PUB and government feedback unit Reach revealed that younger Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) appear to be less concerned about the sustainability of the country’s water supply than older residents aged 55 and above.

The qualitative study held focus group sessions with about 50 Singaporeans and PRs who are also responsible for paying their own household utility bills last October (2018).

Younger participants – those with young or teenage children – perceived water scarcity as “a distant concept” due to the ready availability of water here, the PUB said.

The PUB’s new campaign, “Make Every Drop Count”, will be launched at Marina Barrage on 2 March, the start of Singapore World Water Day 2019, together with over 2,000 representatives from schools, firms and grassroots organisations.

More than 64 roadshows and events islandwide will be held in the same month. Water rationing exercises will also be conducted in schools to inculcate water-saving habits among the young.

Efforts to diversify the Republic’s water sources, such as NEWater and desalination, have also assured them that Singapore’s water supply is secure, the PUB added.

The campaign is in line with plans to cut water use here.

In October 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced a new target of 130 litres per person daily by 2030, shaving 10 litres off the original goal.

In 2017, each person here used 143 litres daily, just shy of the 140 litre target initially set for 2030 under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.

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Source: The Straits Times, 25 February 2019