Singapore’s water tariff hike – social media reaction

Feb. 22, 2017
News that Singapore will increase the price of water by 30% over two years provoked a mixed response on Twitter...

SINGAPORE – Even Singapore, Asia’s hydro hub with a world renowned efficient water industry is raising the price of water to meet increasing costs and curb high usage.

From July 2017, the price of water will increase by 30%, phased in over a two-year period.

National water agency PUB said that “heavy investments in water infrastructure, coupled with rising operational costs, have made the increase in water prices necessary”.

Details of the price change can be seen below:

Back in 2000, when the last price change was made, water demand in Singapore was 300 million gallons per day (mgd). Today it is 430 mgd. Furthermore, by 2060 demand is expected to double.

The news provoked a mixed reaction from industry experts and local residents on social network Twitter, as can be seen below:

Households in Singapore using more than 40 m3 of #water per month will pay 41% more - demand management in action. https://t.co/TpoaC7RVIC

— David Lloyd Owen (@Daviddwr) February 21, 2017