If Singapore can do this, maybe there's still hope

Singapore, not exactly blessed with abundant natural resources (how can it be, when it's a city on the end of a peninsula? Locator graphic) has become a place learning how to do more with less -- water, in this case. And apparently they have lessons for the rest of us.

Tropical Singapore an oasis for water research

Just a couple of eye-opening excerpts:

"The government has turned two-thirds of the island into a massive catchment for the abundant rain that falls all year round to supplement the water piped in from Malaysia. A 7,000-kilometre (4,340-mile) drainage network directs rainwater into 15 reservoirs, a number that will increase to 17 next year."

and also this:

"The turning point for Singapore came in early 2000 after improvements in membrane technology made it possible and affordable to treat sewage water on a massive scale, Khoo said. The technology refers to a variety of processes using semi-permeable filters rather than chemicals or energy to separate untreated water from its contaminants and impurities. The resulting product is safe to drink and use in the high-end semiconductor factories that are the engines for Singapore's economy."

Waste not, want not -- and lots of drops to drink.

The article said this, too:

"Initially the butt of many jokes, NEWater will account for 30 percent of Singapore's needs by next year, but this can easily be increased if the need arises."

OKay.