20-02-2013, 09:37 AM
Below is taken from FAQ.
1. If NEWater is so clean, why can't we introduce NEWater straight into the taps?
NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water that is purified further using advanced membrane technologies, making the water ultra-clean and safe to drink. NEWater has also passed more than 65,000 scientific tests and surpasses World Health Organisation requirements.
Because it is ultra clean, NEWater is ideal for industry use, such as wafer fabrication processes. NEWater is supplied to wafer fabrication, electronics and power generation industries for process use as well as commercial and institutional complexes for air-con cooling purposes. This frees up potable water for domestic use.
PUB also blends a small percentage of the NEWater with the reservoir water.
2. Is NEWater more expensive than PUB water?
Yes. Based on today's cost structure, it is more expensive to produce NEWater than PUB water but it is cheaper to produce NEWater than desalinated water. NEWater is priced at a cheaper rate than PUB water because it does not attract water conservation tax since industries that use NEWater are helping to conserve our precious water resources.
However, the cost structure is not static. For example, in the case of PUB water, the price will change should there be changes to the price of raw water and also the quality of raw water. Our plan is to have more sources of water supply so that we could optimize on these alternative sources to ensure that our water supply system is robust and most cost-competitive.
3. NEWater is so pure like distilled water. Can I drink it direct?
It is a personal choice. Even though IPU has been adopted, NEWater is not supplied directly to households. NEWater is mixed in reservoirs where there are minerals and chemicals, and further treat for supply to households as PUB water. We are not proposing to Singaporeans to drink NEWater directly, but it is safe to drink it directly. We will be happy to make it available to those who are interested to have a direct taste of NEWater.
4. Is NEWater safe for human consumption? How does NEWater compare with PUB drinking water?
Yes, NEWater is safe for human consumption. Test results from the two-year comprehensive physical, chemical and microbiological study showed that the quality of NEWater consistently exceeds the requirements stipulated in the USEPA and WHO guidelines. In fact, NEWater is cleaner than PUB water. NEWater is purified using a double membrane barrier system that will screen off viruses and bacteria in the water. The same types of membrane process system have been used for production of bottled drinking water and for desalination of seawater. In addition, NEWater will also pass through an UV irradiation barrier as a final safeguard before the NEWater is passed for use.
1. If NEWater is so clean, why can't we introduce NEWater straight into the taps?
NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water that is purified further using advanced membrane technologies, making the water ultra-clean and safe to drink. NEWater has also passed more than 65,000 scientific tests and surpasses World Health Organisation requirements.
Because it is ultra clean, NEWater is ideal for industry use, such as wafer fabrication processes. NEWater is supplied to wafer fabrication, electronics and power generation industries for process use as well as commercial and institutional complexes for air-con cooling purposes. This frees up potable water for domestic use.
PUB also blends a small percentage of the NEWater with the reservoir water.
2. Is NEWater more expensive than PUB water?
Yes. Based on today's cost structure, it is more expensive to produce NEWater than PUB water but it is cheaper to produce NEWater than desalinated water. NEWater is priced at a cheaper rate than PUB water because it does not attract water conservation tax since industries that use NEWater are helping to conserve our precious water resources.
However, the cost structure is not static. For example, in the case of PUB water, the price will change should there be changes to the price of raw water and also the quality of raw water. Our plan is to have more sources of water supply so that we could optimize on these alternative sources to ensure that our water supply system is robust and most cost-competitive.
3. NEWater is so pure like distilled water. Can I drink it direct?
It is a personal choice. Even though IPU has been adopted, NEWater is not supplied directly to households. NEWater is mixed in reservoirs where there are minerals and chemicals, and further treat for supply to households as PUB water. We are not proposing to Singaporeans to drink NEWater directly, but it is safe to drink it directly. We will be happy to make it available to those who are interested to have a direct taste of NEWater.
4. Is NEWater safe for human consumption? How does NEWater compare with PUB drinking water?
Yes, NEWater is safe for human consumption. Test results from the two-year comprehensive physical, chemical and microbiological study showed that the quality of NEWater consistently exceeds the requirements stipulated in the USEPA and WHO guidelines. In fact, NEWater is cleaner than PUB water. NEWater is purified using a double membrane barrier system that will screen off viruses and bacteria in the water. The same types of membrane process system have been used for production of bottled drinking water and for desalination of seawater. In addition, NEWater will also pass through an UV irradiation barrier as a final safeguard before the NEWater is passed for use.
