Singapore to help Delhi on ‘new water' concept (Hindu 05 February 2012)

Growing mismatch between demand and supply has forced the authorities in Delhi to consider using treated sewage water, popularly known as “new water”. With limited sources of water for its growing millions, Delhi is looking at Singapore to help introduce the concept in the city and also lend help with the know-how.
Singapore is considered the most successful example of “new water” usage and will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with Delhi to pave way for the treatment of sewage water to make new water.
“New water is the brand name that has been given to reclaimed water produced in Singapore. It is waste water that has been treated and purified using dual-membrane, microfiltration and reverse osmosis and ultraviolet technologies. The water is treated to make it potable and fit for drinking needs,” said a senior official of the Delhi Government.
Referring to the introduction of the concept in Delhi, the official said: “The Government of Singapore will fund the technical feasibility study and pay 70 per cent of the consultation fee. Since they already have the system in place, they will be able to offer technical support as well.”
Initially about four to five per cent of the treated new water will be released back into the river Yamuna, where through the natural cleansing processes it will be turned into raw water. “We will then use this raw water to produce treated water for potable use. In Singapore they use about 10 per cent of new water, but in the initial stages we will limit to just about 5 per cent,” the official explained.
Once the MoU is signed, the consultancy will start in the next six months and the entire project will be ready to take off in a year, the official said.
On the need for switching to new water, the official said: “Delhi has to seriously consider means of saving water and also making the best use of the limited resources at hand. As on date we already have to fight with the other States for drinking water needs, and this struggle to secure more water will only intensify in the future. If such concepts are not considered, we will be left with a huge disparity in demand-supply.”