First published: 20 January 2021 @ 10:32 am
Singapore has high standards for clean water, but it is still possible for tap water to become dirty. There are many factors that cause tap water to become dirty.
One common cause is dust from construction sites, which carries dirt and other contaminants into the water treatment plants. Other causes include lack of maintenance and insufficient regulation regarding outflow quality.
Like Singapore, Malaysia has one of the most reliable and high-quality systems for ensuring clean tap water globally. However, there are some areas where contamination can still occur, leading to dirty tap water.
We consider it essential to safeguard this high-quality system by ensuring industrial runoff does not pollute the water treatment plants. We also recommend that construction companies keep barriers to prevent dust and debris from entering the plant.
The main factors contributing to dirty tap water in Indonesia include lack of regulation and poor monitoring and maintenance. Many industrial sites in Indonesia do not maintain the fences around outflow pipes, leading to contaminated runoff.
Additionally, the infrastructure for ensuring clean tap water is not as advanced as in Singapore and Malaysia, leading to a lack of maintenance and upkeep at many sites.
In addition to a lack of regulation and maintenance, the water system in the Philippines is ancient and decrepit. As a result, the pipes are more likely to rust and corrode than other countries. They also have a higher risk of contamination because they are not cleaned regularly.
The most common cause of dirty water is construction sites that do not adequately maintain their dust fences. As a result, construction dust sometimes enters the outlets from which our drinking water comes.
Dust that contains harmful substances such as lead, zinc, or arsenic may be found in our drinking water. The frequent use of roadworks and even new roads can also increase risk levels for dirty tap water as dirt and impurities are carried via rainwater runoff towards our reservoirs.
What Do I Do If My Tap Water is Dirty?
There are a few ways to prevent dirty tap water. Still, it is essential to remember that there may be no way to avoid this entirely when there are so many variables in Singapore’s weather and environment.
A few ways you can prevent your tap from being contaminated by polluted runoff include:
Install a water softener for any challenging water problems you may be having (these are especially useful if you live in an apartment complex). Use a reverse osmosis filter system, which is highly effective at removing contaminants.
It is the most expensive option and the most reliable and effective. When you use this method, your tap water will be clean enough to drink and use.
If your tap water is dirty despite all of your efforts, there may be no way to avoid it. If this is the case, we recommend that you contact us so that we can test your tap water and identify any contaminants that may be present in it.
In addition, if you notice a significant change in the taste of your tap water, this is also a good sign that something is wrong with your water.