Singapore to supply additional water to Johor

SINGAPORE - Singapore has begun supplying additional drinking water to Johor since Aug 14, said national water agency PUB.

This is in response to a request for assistance from Johor's water regulatory body Badan Kawalselia Air Johor (BAKAJ).

The current dry weather has severely affected water levels in Johor's Sungei Layang dam. Parts of Johor Baru has commenced water rationing from Aug 16 and will continue to do so till Sep 15.

BAKAJ had requested PUB to provide an additional five to six million gallons per day of potable water to supplement the water supply in Johor Baru during the water rationing period.

PUB said it has agreed to help and has been injecting additional supply of water from the Johor River Waterworks that PUB operates in Johor.

This arrangement is temporary and subject to regular review, said PUB.

"This will not affect the water supply in Singapore. There has been some rain in Singapore and PUB has increased its production of NEWater and desalinated water to meet local demand, allowing water levels in local reservoirs to remain healthy," it said.

Over the years, PUB has, at Johor's request, supplied about 16 million gallons of potable water per day to Johor.

PUB said it "remains committed to working with BAKAJ and relevant agencies to increase water resources in Johor".

klim@sph.com.sg