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Water, water everywhere: Singapore the water city

Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
A worker cleaning the infinity pool in HortPark. Located in the south-western part of Singapore, HortPark is part of the Southern Ridges comprising Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Park. On its website, the National Parks Board describes HortPark as “the first gardening and lifestyle hub in South-east Asia that brings together gardening-related recreational, educational, research and retail activities under one roof in a park setting”.ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay.ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN, MARK CHEONG
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at the East Coast Park in 2017. The park has a total land size of 185ha and a coastline that stretches over 15km.ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN, MARK CHEONG
Sunlight peeking through dark clouds and casting its reflection from the Esplanade onto the water, creating reflective spots. Marina Reservoir, which was officially opened on Oct 31, 2008, has a catchment area of 10,000ha, or one-sixth the size of Si
Sunlight peeking through dark clouds and casting its reflection from the Esplanade onto the water, creating reflective spots. Marina Reservoir, which was officially opened on Oct 31, 2008, has a catchment area of 10,000ha, or one-sixth the size of Singapore.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
Participants of the Water For All Camp using pails to draw water from the Kallang River to water plants in the area earlier this month. A total of 22 people attended the overnight camp held at Kallang Basin to learn about water conservation.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore’s largest and oldest reservoir, provides a scenic backdrop for joggers and canoeists.ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW, JOYCE FANG
A tree casts an artistic reflection on a water feature outside VivoCity shopping mall, with Sentosa visible in the background.
A tree casts an artistic reflection on a water feature outside VivoCity shopping mall, with Sentosa visible in the background.ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW, JOYCE FANG
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
A remote-controlled robot swan, equipped with cameras, probes and sensors, monitoring water quality in Marina Barrage. It can be deployed to analyse water samples and take photos of events above the water.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
A plastic bottle on the Singapore River, almost invisible under light reflections at night. The Government started the Clean Rivers Education Programme in 1987 to encourage people to keep the waterways clean.ST PHOTO: SAHIBA CHAWDHARY
Right: A boy playing under a curtain of water falling from orchid-shaped splash buckets at the Waterplay area at the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Far right: A participant at the TRI-Factor Series triathlon held at th
Rain falls in Singapore often throughout the year. Local catchment water, which relies on rainwater, is a pillar of Singapore’s sustainable water supply. Since 2011, the water catchment area has been increased from half to two-thirds of Singapore’s land surface with the completion of the Marina, Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Residents of St Bernadette Lifestyle Village, an assisted living facility, at one of their regular activities.
Residents of St Bernadette Lifestyle Village, an assisted living facility, at one of their regular activities.ST PHOTO: SAHIBA CHAWDHARY
A couple seated by the Marina Bay Sands Lotus Pond as the inverted reflection of the ArtScience Museum is seen on a concave mirror.
A couple seated by the Marina Bay Sands Lotus Pond as the inverted reflection of the ArtScience Museum is seen on a concave mirror.ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
Members of the public play by a water feature at Clarke Quay, on March 12, 2019.
Members of the public play by a water feature at Clarke Quay, on March 12, 2019.ST PHOTO: SAHIBA CHAWDHARY
The water surface of a pond at Sungei Buloh creates a momentary pattern at the start of a drizzle which dissipated within a few seconds.
The water surface of a pond at Sungei Buloh creates a momentary pattern at the start of a drizzle which dissipated within a few seconds.PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
A worker waters the parched ground by Eco Lake at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, on March 13, 2019.
A worker waters the parched ground by Eco Lake at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, on March 13, 2019.ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
Guests relax and sun bath on the Queen Mary 2 oceanliner ship docked in Marina Cruise Centre in Singapore, on March 11, 2019.
Guests relax and sun bath on the Queen Mary 2 oceanliner ship docked in Marina Cruise Centre in Singapore, on March 11, 2019.ST PHOTO: SAHIBA CHAWDHARY
Light reflecting from the water in the canal that leads to Sungei Kallang, on March 5, 2019.
Light reflecting from the water in the canal that leads to Sungei Kallang, on March 5, 2019.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
American triathlete Katie Zaferes (right, in pink) douses herself with water as she runs in the Championship Series: Pro Racing Enduro- Female during the Super League Triathlon Day 1.
American triathlete Katie Zaferes (right, in pink) douses herself with water as she runs in the Championship Series: Pro Racing Enduro- Female during the Super League Triathlon Day 1.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
People fishing and relaxing at Bedok Jetty, on Feb 19, 2019.
People fishing and relaxing at Bedok Jetty, on Feb 19, 2019.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Reflection of the skyline, the Merlion and people carrying umbrellas, in the puddle of water on the ground after a light shower on Nov 17, 2016.
Reflection of the skyline, the Merlion and people carrying umbrellas, in the puddle of water on the ground after a light shower on Nov 17, 2016.PHOTO: ST FILE
An elderly man attempting to cross the bridge over a swimming pool at the Chiltern Park Condominium located along Serangoon Ave 3, on Aug 24, 2014.
An elderly man attempting to cross the bridge over a swimming pool at the Chiltern Park Condominium located along Serangoon Ave 3, on Aug 24, 2014.PHOTO: ST FILE

With limited land to collect and store rainwater, Singapore faced drought, floods and water pollution in the early years of nation building. These challenges inspired Singapore to strategise and seek innovative ideas, develop capabilities and secure a sustainable supply of water. Singapore has four water sources known as the four national taps - water from local catchment, imported water, high-grade reclaimed water known as Newater and desalinated water. Ahead of World Water Day on Friday, The Straits Times Picture Desk explores the topic of water around us and how it plays a part in our daily lives.

Published: 
Mar 18, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 18, 2019, with the headline 'Water, water everywhere'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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