PUB raises water supply to Johor on "urgent request"

THE national water agency PUB Singapore on Sunday said it would supply more potable water to Johor, following an "urgent request" for an additional supply of six million gallons of treated water per day for the next three days.

"Johor Bakaj requires this water to stabilise their own supply system in Johor Bahru after the shutdown on Wednesday due to pollution in the Johor River," PUB Singapore said in a media statement. PUB Singapore said it has commenced with providing more treated water to Johor from 12am on Sunday.

PUB Singapore said it is entitled to draw 250mgd of raw water from the Johor River under the 1962 Water Agreement with Malaysia. This right is guaranteed by the 1965 Separation Agreement and expires in 2061.

The 1962 Water Agreement also obliges PUB to sell 5mgd of treated water to Johor. In practice though, PUB said it has been regularly providing Johor with three times this, at up to 16mgd on a daily basis.

This latest request for 6mgd is on top of the regular 15-16mgd provided to Johor every day.

"Service to PUB's customers in Singapore will not be affected in any way as we are able to increase local production at short notice."