Images from the Past: A Standpipe and our Water Story

Public Standpipe in Toa Payoh Village, c 1960s

http://www.nas.gov.sg/blogs/archivistpick/public-standpipe/

See news clipping (Dec 1961, below) on Johor buying water from Singapore in 1961.

Excerpt from a news blog about our Water Story:

Under the 1962 agreement Johor can draw up to 5 mgd of treated water. But they have raised their drawings up to 16 mgd. Why?

There are two water treatment plants on the Johor river operated by Malaysia, in addition to the one run by PUB (SG).


The Semanggar plant has a capacity of about 40 mgd (159.1 mld). I have not been able to find info on the capacity of the Sungai Johor State Waterworks plant. However, in 2001, in correspondences between Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir, the Johor River capacity was 313 mgd, and Malaysia draws 70 mgd while Singapore draws up to 250 mgd. Which means that the Sungai Johor plant would be about 30 mgd. 

And they get 16 mgd from Singapore.

If they cut SG from the raw water supply, it is not like the Johor State water treatment plants would have the capacity to supply more water for Johor residents. As it is, their two waterworks supplies 70 mgd. Maybe 80 or even 100. Whatever their capacity, they need 16 mgd from Singapore on an ongoing basis. And in these times of drought, they need about 6 mgd extra. This tells me that whatever their capacity, they are unable to meet demand with it. Cutting the supply to SG will not solve their problem, as that will only increase the supply of raw water, but they are unable to increase the supple of treated water, which is what the residents require.

In fact by adhering to the water agreement, Johor can continue to be supplied with subsidised water by Singapore.

The point of this is NOT to point out the self-serving nature of their "largesse". Or that they have an ulterior motive. They are not doing anything that we, in their position, would not have done. Your people are thirsty. Do what is necessary. 

Singapore Free Press, 22 Dec 1961

The point of this "expose" is not a revelation that our PUB is dumb to have fallen for such an obvious spin. If I can figure it out, I am sure they are aware of the advantage to Malaysia. We are keenly aware that we are subsidising their treated water (but those are the terms of the water agreement). We are also aware that the Malaysian need to save face, so sure, we will play along and not embarrass them (if they don't read this blog). 

When your neighbour claims that his wife is the most beautiful, and his children are geniuses, you nod and respect his opinion without challenging or giving offence. Of course, if your neighbour is a good neighbour, he won't say such silly things to you when your wife is obviously the most beautiful, and your children are talented geniuses. 

The point is simply to be aware of the facts, and that the facts may sometimes be lost beneath courtesy, diplomacy, tact, bonhomie, and good neighbourliness. The point is to be aware of the real costs and the real values, and the real sacrifices or contribution. The uncontroversial and generous position is that the relationship between Johor/Malaysia and Singapore with regard to the water agreement, is mutually beneficial and is testimony to the good relationship between Johor and Singapore. 



http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19611222-1.2.74