Water Catchments Area

Two thirds of the country's surface area are classified as partly protected catchment areas with certain restrictions on land use, so that the rainwater can be collected and used as drinking water. As of 2010, the water supply system included 19 raw water reservoirs, 9 treatment works and 17 service reservoirs for treated water. The largest reservoir, the Marina Bay reservoir inaugurated in 2008, is in the estuary of a river that has been closed off by a barrage to keep the seawater out. Two similar barrages are due to be completed in 2011 and will form the Punggol Reservoir and the Serangoon Reservoir.Tha advantage of water catchment areas is that it is a inexpensive source to get more water supply.The disadvantage is that this source is unreliable as during periods of dry seasons,we might not get enough rainwater to be collected by the reseirvoirs.