What we learned by attending the Singapore International Water Week 2024
Published on: 02/08/2024
SIWW 2024 joint opening and ministerial plenary, 19 June 2024 (Picture Courtesy: SIWW 2024. Credit: 2024 Singapore International Water Week
This blog was co-written by Digbjioy Dey and Ruchika Shiva.
In the development sector, we often hesitate to replicate examples from high-income countries deeming them either irrelevant or unsuitable for the vastly different socio-economic and socio-cultural contexts we work in. However, some countries have elements we can learn from. Singapore is one such country.
Fifty years ago, Singapore was a low-income country (GDP less than US$ 500 per capita) with water and sanitation service levels similar to the contexts we originate from and work within. Since then, it has not only transitioned to a high-income country (GDP of US$ 60,000 per capita) but has also managed to deliver total sanitation and hygiene coverage within a generation.
Recently, from June 17-22, 2024, we had the opportunity to participate in the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) as part of our efforts to think, learn, and influence more broadly within the Asian context. For us, as systems thinkers, the event provided an opportunity to learn from more established water and sanitation utilities, and to share our experiences from the developing world. SIWW and the parallel Clean Enviro Summit hosted more than 30,000 water and environmental professionals.
IRC believes that strengthening systems is the backbone for providing sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services to all. It was interesting to hear experiences from Australia, India, and Bangladesh. We also learned from WHO colleagues about guidelines for small water schemes and the importance of communication with decision-makers and communities as part of the service delivery process.
While our focus is on developing country contexts, we learned how many smaller communities in the so-called developed world struggle to access basic services. In Australia, for example, over 400 remote or regional communities face health risks because they lack access to good-quality drinking water.
On the other hand, Singapore is praised for its robust water and sanitation service delivery. Water supply and sanitation in Singapore are intricately linked to the country’s historical development. The apparent instrument for water and sanitation service delivery in Singapore is undoubtedly infrastructure. A closer look assured us that all other systems building blocks are there as well. Notable examples are finance (viable business models) and regulation (standards and its enforcement), which played key roles in building Singapore’s strong water and sanitation systems.
What makes Singapore and many other island countries different, is that it is highly affected by climate change and struggling to make water and sanitation services climate resilient.
SIWW hosted numerous events including a Water Convention and Water Expo, all with a focus on industrial/technological solutions. Singaporean institutes announced new partnerships and research initiatives focusing on coastal protection and flood resilience, which could prove relevant for other island states.
IRC’s Ruchika Shiva was part of the organising committee of the Water Convention’s theme on Water Quality and One Health, which was led by former IRC Chair Robert Bos. Ruchika chaired the session on “Communication Between Sectors and to Affected Communities” where IRC’s Digbijoy Dey presented a paper on “Operation and maintenance of public handpumps in rural Bangladesh: a mixed model” co-authored by Erick Baetings and a poster, co-authored by Lukas Bouman and Ingeborg Krukkert, describing how a lack of integrated planning and management is contaminating the surface and groundwater of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
SIWW showed that the development sector can still learn from the experiences of high-income countries such as Singapore. The best way to do this is by including more cross-cutting sessions on governance, systems strengthening and support for marginalised communities.
Acknowledgements: This blog was reviewed and edited by Cor Dietvorst and copy-edited by Tettje van Daalen.
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