Water Efficiency Strategies for Buildings in Singapore

1. Water Efficient Buildings Wong Wai Cheng Manager (Water Demand Management)

2. Water Consumption in S’pore • Total water consumption • 58 % for domestic consumption • 42 % for non domestic consumption

3. Why Conserve Water…… • Reduce Operation Cost • Contribute to National effort to Conserve Water

4. Pricing Voluntary Reflect the strategic importance and scarcity value of water 3P approach Promote ownership of water conservation Water Conservation Strategy Mandatory Cut down on excessive flow and wastage of water

5. W.e.f. 1 July 2000 Consumption block (m3 per mth) Tariff category Tariff (¢/m3) WCT (%) Domestic 1 to 40 117 30 Above 40 140 45 30 Non-domestic All units 117 Pricing Water Tariff Structure • WCT : Water Conservation Tax - Broad-based Tax levied by the Government

6. 9 litre flushing cistern 4.5 litre flushing cistern Mandatory Installation of Water Saving Devices Since 1983 • Self-Closing Delayed-Action Taps (non domestic premises including common amenities of condominiums) • Constant Flow Regulators (all premises) Since 1997 • Low Capacity Flushing Cistern

7. Mandatory Reduction of Max Allowable Flow-rates

8. Voluntary Water Efficient Buildings (WEB) Encourage building owner / management agent to take ownership • Reviewwater usage pattern/habits • Reducewater usage, keep to efficient flow rates/flush volume. Recycle/reuse wherepossible • Repair leaking fittings promptly to avoid water wastage • More than 900 buildings/premises certified as WEB

9. Website Portal Water Volunteer Groups (WVGs) Mandatory Installation of Dual Flush LCFCs The 10-Litre Challenge Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme

10. Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS)

11. WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME(WELS) • A voluntary labelling scheme dedicated to promoting Water Efficient Products • Launched on 31st Oct 2006 • Jointly administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) & PUB

12. WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME(WELS) • Objectives • Facilitate consumer to make informed choice when purchasing products • Increase public awareness on water conservation • Encourage manufacturers/importers to bring in more water efficient products • Promote water efficient building design

13. WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME(WELS) The Water Efficiency Label comprises: • the title “Water Efficiency” • ticks that indicate water efficiency of the labelled products (the more ticks, the more water efficient is the product) • the water efficiency rating in words: “Good” (for products with 1 tick) “Very Good” (for products with 2 ticks) “Excellent” (for products with 3 ticks) • Water Consumption • Type of Product • Brand • Model • Serial No.

14.    Excellent   Very Good  Good Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme Products 3-tier Rating System Shower Head Dual Flush Cistern Washing Machine Basin/ Sink Tap

15. Criteria For Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) • To pass laboratory simulation test on waste transportation efficiency in pipe. • To pass dilution test

16. WELS WEBSITE www.sec.org.sg/wels.

17. INCORPORATE WATER EFFICIENT LABELLED PRODUCTS IN BUILDINGS • WELS is incorporated under BCA’s Green Mark criteria for new buildings – air con and residential buildings. • BCA’s Green Mark for Schools – will be announced soon • Encourage developers, govt agencies as well as professionals to incorporate this scheme in their developments/buildings design specification

18. Green Mark for Air Con Buildings- Water Efficiency Criteria

20. Green Mark for Residential Buildings- Water Efficiency Criteria

22. Water Efficient Building Design • Submetering • Installation of Pressure Reducing Valves • Install Water Saving Devices/ use of Water Efficient Labelled Products • Water Substitution / Recycling of used water • Water Efficient Landscaping

23. (1) Submetering • Monitor water usage - Key element • Sub-meters should be installed • Installation of submeters/private meters on all major water systems, such as cooling tower, irrigation, hot water devices, etc.\ • Know how water is used • Identification of leak areas quickly • Shall be accessible for meter readings and maintenance

24. Water Tank m Residential Units m Sub meters m Irrigation Swimming Pool m Water Tank Bulk Meter Public Toilets m m

25. Maintenance officers are encouraged to take water meter readings regularly (daily/weekly/fortnightly) • Monitor the water consumption on a plotted graph • Any sudden increase may indicate a leak in the system • Investigate immediately • Take prompt action to repair leaks, if any

26. main and sub-meters should be linked to a building management system (BMS) • water usage trends can be recorded • Alarm activated if there is a sudden increase in water consumption or a new trend in water consumption as this will indicate the possibility of a water leakage

27. (2) Pressure Reducing Valves Install Pressure reducing valves at every floor to maintain the water pressure of the water supply to every dwelling unit at 1.5 bar

28. Water Tank Pressure Reducing Valve Bulk Meter m

29. (3) Water Saving Devices/ Use of Water Efficient Labelled products • - Use Water Efficient Labelled products • with Excellent rating • - Install water saving devices • Basin Taps : thimbles or CFRs • Flushing cistern : use dual flush low capacity flushing cistern : cistern water saving bags for • 9 litre flushing cistern • Urinals : reduce flush volumes or use waterless urinals • Low Flow Showerheads

30. (4) Water Substitution/Recycling • Encourage substitution with NEWater for non potable use eg. Air con cooling towers, process use, etc. • Encourage recycling of process water or used water • Cheaper

31. Water Substitution (NEWater) Seletar 5 mgd 2004 Kranji 9 mgd Jan 2003 Ulu Pandan 25 mgd Early 2007 Bedok 6 mgd Jan 2003 Legend NEWater pipeline NEWater Plant Service Reservoir

32. (5)Water Efficient Landscaping • Water Efficient Plants • - Use drought resistant plants or plants that fit naturally into the existing climatic conditions • - Limit amount of turf area , turf grasses need a lot of water and require continual upkeep • - Group plants by their water needs such as plants that need high, moderate or little to no irrigation. Draught resistant plants Limit turf Area

33. Water Efficient Irrigation Systems • -Drip irrigation uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler irrigation • - Drip irrigation applies water slowly and directly to the roots of plants. Hence, evaporation and runoff is minimized • - Adopt flexible irrigation schedule to save water by adjusting to changing weather conditions • - Recycled water should be used • - Potable water is only permitted for system to be turned on manually and turned off automatically

34. Rainwater Collection • non-potable usage (irrigation, washing, toilet flushing, etc) 16 Mar 2004

35. Thank You

36. Urinals • recommended flush volume for standard size urinal (300mm width) is 0.5 litres per flush • Waterless Urinals : • Eliminate the use of water in flushing • - save water • Low installation cost as water connection and flush valve are not needed • Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the waterless urinal do not cause unpleasant smells.

37. Shower Taps & Low Flow Showerheads • The flow rate should not exceed 7 litre/min • Install Low Flow Showerheads with less than 5 litre/min < 5 L/min

38. Washbasin Taps After insallation of thimble (3.8 L/min) Before insallation of thimble or CFR 2 l/min (Laminar) 6 l/min (Turbulence) 2 l/min with Thimble (Spray) Or 2 l/min CFR • For sensor taps with 2 litre/min flow rate, cut off supply when hand is removed from basin or preset timing of not more than 60 secs is reached,whichever is earlier.

39. Cistern Water Saving Bag for 9 litre Flushing cistern Dual Flush Low Capacity Flushing Cistern

40. Take Water Meter Readings Regularly

41. 2005 Monthly Water Consumption