As we try and come to terms with the steep increase of 30 per cent in the price of water, could the Government do more to help individual households save water? I am not talking here just about rebates.

Most households find out how much water they have consumed only when they get the monthly bill.

With Singapore being in the digital age and the Government promoting technology in this year's Budget, can't we have an app that can tell us easily and in real time what our water consumption is?

Reading the water meter in its present state is often suggested by the authority, but the fact that many people do not do it shows that there is some inherent problem with it.

If useful timely information can be provided, family members could sit together to identify the cause for the high water consumption that day, and brainstorm ideas on how the problem can be fixed.

I believe that with some discipline and focus, households may be able to reduce water consumption by as much as 10 per cent.

What we need from the authority is real-time data and also useful tools like the water-saving kit from PUB.

Other than the rebate, this could help us try and overcome the burden of higher water bills during an economic downturn.

Joe Ng Boon Leng