Domestic Water Consumption Charges In Singapore & Malaysia

Singapore

After Singapore achieved its independence in 1965, the country faced a real or imaginary threat from its neighboring country, Malaysia, to cut off the water supply whenever there was a conflict between the 2 nations since Singapore relied heavily on Malaysia to import water from. However, for the past 20 years or so, the Singapore government under its very capable leaders had spearheaded the strategic planning and investment in research and technology to turn its weakness to strength and had earned international recognition in water management; and was emerging as a hydrohub, according to PUB.

This diagram shows how residents in Singapore get their clean water. I know many people don't give a shit about how and where they get their water from especially the rich or dirt rich who substitute plain water with branded "mineral water", milk, fruit juice, beer, liquor every single day or pay a very steep price for a bottle of so-called mineral water at fancy restaurants, pubs or nightclubs.

(Diagram taken from pub.gov.sg)

In the Lion City State, the Singapore national water agency,  Public Utility Board (PUB) charges domestic water consumption based on cubic meters per month and a 2-tier rates, i.e. up to 40 cubic meters and above 40 cubic meters.

The bill includes the water tariff, water conservation tax, water borne fee,  sanitary appliance fee, and GST. Details of which can be found here: http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Pages/WaterTariff.aspx.

consists of the water tariff, water conservation tax, waterborne fee and sanitary appliance fee . - See more at: http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Pages/WaterTariff.aspx#sthash.DasffETp.dpuf

The monthly water bill consists of the water tariff, water conservation tax, waterborne fee and sanitary appliance fee . - See more at: http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Pages/WaterTariff.aspx#sthash.DasffETp.dpuf

The monthly water bill consists of the water tariff, water conservation tax, waterborne fee and sanitary appliance fee . - See more at: http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Pages/WaterTariff.aspx#sthash.DasffETp.dpuf

The monthly water bill consists of the water tariff, water conservation tax, waterborne fee and sanitary appliance fee . - See more at: http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/Pages/WaterTariff.aspx#sthash.DasffETp.dpuf

Malaysia

So how is the situation in Malaysia which is well blessed with lots of rain and catchment areas? I ain''t gonna go into details but suffice to say, Malaysia doesn't even come close to what Singapore has achieved in terms water management and technology.

I have no idea how much water did you consumed per month on the average but let me show you the most recent household water bill below. Sorry, it was printed in Malay only.

In my case, a household of 4 just consumed 36.1 cubic meters. What was the damage? RM 16.75 (S$ 6.05 or US$ 4.44 based the on current exchange rate as at June 8, 2015) after deducting the water bill subsidy of the first 20 cubic meters of water.

If you were to use the same amount of water in Singapore, you would have to pay S$57.91.