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6 Things About Water and Energy That Will Change How You Think

Content by: Melody Tan | Photo credits: Shutterstock

As we mark World Water Day and Earth Hour on 22 March, let’s explore how these two essential resources are linked — and why conservinzg them matters.

21 Mar 2025

As we mark World Water Day and Earth Hour this year, let’s explore how these two essential resources are linked — and why conserving them matters.

In resource-scarce Singapore, every drop of water and watt of energy counts. Understanding their connection can inspire small changes that lead to big impacts. Here are six facts that will make you think twice about how you use these precious resources.

FACT #1: THE WATER WE USE TAKES ENERGY TO PRODUCE

Before water even reaches our taps, a significant amount of energy is used to treat and transport it. Singapore’s desalination plants consume about 3.5 kilowatt-hours per cubic metre (kWh/m³) of energy to make seawater drinkable through the process of reverse osmosis, while NEWater production requires around 25% of the same amount of energy.

FACT #2: THE ENERGY WE USE TAKES WATER TO PRODUCE

Electricity production isn’t just energy-intensive — it’s also water-intensive. Most of Singapore’s electricity is produced by burning natural gas from Malaysia and Indonesia. Extracting this gas involves hydraulic fracking, a process that consumes vast amounts of water. Once the gas reaches power plants, an estimated 2,803 gallons (10,610 litres) of water is used to produce one megawatt hour of electricity.

FACT #3: REDUCE WATER AND ENERGY USE WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES

While electric cars are often seen as the greener choice, their impact on water and energy depends on how the electricity is generated. In Singapore, where electricity mainly comes from natural gas, the production of power for electric vehicles (EVs) currently requires more water than petrol-powered cars. However, this may soon change as Singapore invests in cleaner, renewable energy sources.

That said, EVs still produce about 50% fewer carbon emissions than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, making them a key solution in reducing emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for about 15% of Singapore’s total carbon footprint. To accelerate the transition, the government has introduced initiatives like the EV Early Adoption Incentive and the Vehicular Emissions Scheme, and is rolling out 60,000 EV charging points by 2030.

EV charging is now available at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir and coming soon to Khatib and Bukit Batok clubhouses! Charge your vehicle and conserve precious water and energy — all while enjoying your favourite activities. What’s more, HomeTeamNS members get to enjoy exclusive 10% OFF charging rates.

FACT #4: FITTINGS AND APPLIANCES MAKE AN IMPACT

When it comes to saving energy, old is not gold: traditional incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs pale in comparison to energy-efficient light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs. For instance, a 16.5-watt LED bulb produces the same brightness as a 20-watt CFL bulb or a 75-watt incandescent bulb — and lasts longer, too. Plus, using less electricity also conserves water, since water is required for power generation

Your air-conditioner is another major energy and water guzzler (it relies on water for cooling). Regular servicing improves efficiency, while setting the thermostat to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) recommended 25 degrees Celsius (°C) or switching to a fan after an hour can significantly reduce this dual-resource consumption.

FACT #5: YOUR FOOD CHOICES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Here’s some food for thought: producing 1kg of beef requires 15,000 litres of water, while 1kg of pork needs 6,000 litres of water, and 1kg of chicken needs 4,330 litres. In contrast, growing vegetables uses significantly less water. Opt for plant-based meals occasionally to conserve both water and energy, and consider preparation methods like batch cooking and air frying to save on electricity.

FACT #6: SINGAPORE’S INNOVATIONS HELP CONSERVE WATER AND ENERGY

Singapore’s resource scarcity has fuelled continuous innovation in energy and water solutions. One such breakthrough is PUB’s floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on reservoirs, which boost performance by 5% to 15% compared to rooftop solar PV systems while also reducing freshwater evaporation.

Looking ahead, Singapore is exploring next-generation energy sources, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). These compact nuclear reactors offer a third of the energy-generating capacity of full-scale nuclear plants and come with enhanced safety features.

SMALL STEPS TO SAVE ON WATER AND ENERGY

Check out these easy tips on how you can save water and electricity at home and at your workplace.

AT HOME
Water:

When shopping for new fittings and appliances like washing machines, look for 3 to 5 ticks on PUB’s Water Efficiency Label.
Suspect a leak? Use a leak-detection tablet to find silent leaks, which can waste more than 10 litres of water an hour.

Electricity:

Look for 4 or 5 ticks – which indicate ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ energy savings – on the National Environment Agency’s Energy Label when buying a new household appliance.
Avoid leaving appliances and devices on ‘standby power’ mode – turn them off at the power socket when not in use.

AT WORK
Water:

Organisations can tap on PUB’s Water Efficiency Assessment programme to carry out a water audit and identify wastage in the workplace.
Installing simple devices like water-saving thimbles in pantry taps and flush saver cistern bags in toilets can reduce water usage over time.

Electricity:

Set office air conditioners to 25°C or higher to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable environment.
Invest in smart technology like motion sensors to optimise energy usage by dimming or switching off lights in low-traffic areas such as storerooms and unused meeting rooms.
Power down computers and monitors before leaving the office — it only takes a minute but it helps save energy and reduce wear and tear on your devices.

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