We’re sure you’ve heard by now that water tariffs will be going up for the first time since 2000. That means more pain for our wallets ahead!
The increase will fund the higher costs of desalination and Newater production, as well as that of maintaining Singapore’s current water infrastructure.
Demand is expected to double by 2060, and every additional drop of water will have to come from more expensive water sources.
The hike will be carried out in two phases: in July 1 this year, and July 1 next year. The total increase, including taxes, will be about 30 per cent.
To avoid unnecessary fluctuations in the size of your utilities bill, we’ve got some tips on how you can save water at home to minimise the impact of the hike on your family:
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Did you know that taking a shower helps to save 20 percent more water when compared to taking a bath? Showering also uses less energy and takes less time too. So you’re not only saving water when you shower, you’re saving your money too!
Beware of hidden leaks in your home as they can cause your water bill to increase by up to 10 percent per month. That’s your hard-earned money down the drain! Check your home for dripping faucets or leaky valves regularly. Leaks are often easy to fix and can be corrected quickly.
So you may not be an eco-warrior but even if you don’t think about the environment much, you should be thinking about how to save money so you can spend it on things you actually like. PUB has a water savings kit that will help cut down your utility bills by as much as 5 percent. The best part? It’s absolutely free and you can get it here.
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On average, about 19 percent of our total household water use in Singapore goes towards laundry. To cut down on consumption, always wait to use your washing machine only when you have a full load. Washing just one or two pieces or even a half-load is wasteful and inefficient.
Save up to 3 litres of water a day, when you install a dual flush system in your toilet. Use a full, regular flush for solids and a light, half flush for quick releases. Not only do you conserve more water, a dual flush kit is often so cheap, it’ll pay for itself within the first few months of use.
An easy way to quickly and cheaply save water is to remember to TOTT (Turn Off The Tap). Just by doing this simple gesture in the morning and evening when you brush your teeth can save up to 30 litres of water a day. That’s the equivalent of 15 large bottles of coke!
TOTT (Turn Off The Tap) applies to the kitchen as well. Don’t keep the tap running while you wash your dishes, it’s unnecessary and wasteful, and doesn’t make your dishes anymore squeaky clean than they otherwise would be. Also, it’s useful to defrost meat or wash veggies by soaking instead of using running water.
Next time you handwash your clothes or have leftover water from rinsing a batch of rice, don’t throw away that precious water! You can repurpose it to wash your car during the weekend or even water your plants on the regular.
As well as using less water than boiling, steaming retains more nutrients. If you do boil, try adding the water used as a tasty stock to soups. Or let it cool and use it to water house or garden plants.
Invest in water-efficient goods when you need to replace household products. You can now buy water-efficient showerheads, taps, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and many other water-saving products.