From dressing up in blue and receiving discounts to enjoying nature and art, here are 6 ways you can celebrate World Water Day in Singapore!
While Singapore might have celebrated World Water Day on the 18th of March, this doesn’t mean the celebrations are over just yet.
Public Utilities Board (PUB) has collaborated with various educational institutions, organisations, and corporations for a month’s worth of activities for everyone. We’ve put together a list of activities for you to celebrate World Water Day in the month of March, including exclusive discounts and goods, as well as things you can do in the comfort of your own home!
what is World Water Day about?
Held yearly on 22nd March, World Water Day celebrates the importance of freshwater – from advocating for its sustainable management to ensuring that it becomes accessible for everyone. This year, the main message is “accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis”, hoping to inspire action towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
In Singapore, World Water Day focuses on the message, “Make Every Drop Count”. Indeed, it hopes to reflect the importance of water sustainability and the conservation of a resource that faces increasingly higher demand. The importance of using only what we need cannot be understated: reducing overall water consumption will also help reduce the energy required to treat, clean, filter, and pump it into homes.
World Water Day activities.
1. City Turns Blue.
Dates: 1 March – 22 March 2023
You’ve probably seen them around town and wondered why certain buildings and landmarks have been lit up in blue. Well, here’s your answer! To show their support for Singapore’s World Water Day, these 54 establishments have lit up blue to bring attention to the cause. There’s still one day left to check out these buildings, so be sure to take a walk around town and enjoy the sight before it’s gone!
2. select discounts and vouchers when you show up in blue.
Dates: Varies across establishments.
This World Water Day, simply show up in a blue outfit of your choice and stand a chance to receive exclusive discounts and vouchers at certain establishments! For example, redeem a $10 voucher when you spend over $80 at Orchard Gateway when you dress in blue or show any blue items in the entire month of March. Other restaurants like Swensens, Seorae at Compass One and Tiffany Café and Restaurant also offer special discounts when you show up in blue!
3. specially constructed blue food and drinks.
Dates: Varies across establishments.
If you’re looking for something to eat, Dunkin’ Donuts has released a limited edition Deep Blue Donut together with PUB to celebrate Singapore World Water Day and encourage the public to Make Every Drop Count. This droplet-shaped blue donut is filled with blueberry jam, and can be found in-store in limited quantities up until 22nd March!
Afterwards, quench your thirst with exclusive beverages that have been launched across a wide variety of restaurants throughout the island. Unwind with an Ocean Mojito at Boater’s Bar, Singapore’s only floating bar, available anytime throughout the month of March. Or perhaps visit The Trading Floor at Carlton City to sip an especially crafted cup of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea or a gin-based cocktail that turns to a soft lilac shade, which is available for a limited time only!
There are over 70 other deals and promotions, from specially produced food and drinks to exclusive discounts on water-efficient appliances and other goods, so be sure to take a peek at the full list on PUB’s website to fully immerse yourself in celebrations.
4. World Water Day celebration at shopping centres.
Dates: 20 March – 26 March 2023
From 20-26 March 2023, shoppers can visit select shopping centres to meet PUB’s mascots, Water Wally and Sally, and interact with them. They will be hanging out at Whitesands on the 26th of March from 1pm to 3pm, and at Tiong Bahru Plaza on 25th of March, to educate shoppers on the importance of using water wisely.
Additionally, there are other events in each of the shopping malls in conjunction with their individual celebration of Singapore’s World Water Day. Go to Level 3 of White Sands to learn more about Singapore’s Water Story through a dedicated exhibition, or flash your water bill that has reduced water consumption (either under the national average or lower than the previous month’s) at Tiong Bahru Plaza’s Customer Service Counter at Level 2 to receive a free foldable laundry basket.
5. water art installations at NAFA.
Dates: 18 March – 31 March 2023
In celebration of Singapore World Water Day, the alumni of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) have come together to create a water-themed art installation. It is made from recycled materials sourced from previous installations and serves as a reminder for everyone to play their part in water conservation. This stunning exhibition comprised of water droplets of varying sizes can be found at Bencoolen Street, and it’s only even more stunning at night!
6. learning trails at Geylang River.
Dates: 1 March – 31 March 2023
Walk along Geylang River and enjoy the learning trail that has been proudly brought to you by Tanjong Katong’s Girls’ School. Stand the chance to win prizes when you scan the QR codes placed along the riverside and play simple games and quizzes. You also get to learn more about the historic waterway and the importance of keeping it clean, which sounds like a fun activity to do with friends after eating a good meal nearby!
7. BONUS: celebrate World Water Day at home.
Even if you can’t make it to any of the above events, it’s still not too late to celebrate World Water Day at home! All you have to do is attempt to save water wherever you are, be it in your home, school or workplace, and make sure there’s no water wastage! There are undoubtedly a variety of ways in which you can accomplish this, but it all starts with your household.
method 1: register for a free Water Saving Kit.
The Water Saving Kit is a handy, easy-to-install set that any household which wishes to start on its water conservation journey should have. It comes with a set of thimbles that allows you and your family members to regulate the flow rates of your taps and showerheads. Not only that, but it also contains stickers with reminders on how you could save water with Water Wally, PUB’s mascot – a great introduction to water-saving habits for your little ones! Click here to register your household in less than 5 minutes and reduce up to 5% of your household’s monthly water consumption.
Method 2: the Smart Water Meter Programme.
Besides that, you can also check if your household qualifies for the Smart Water Meter Programme. With the first phase of the programme launching in January 2022, it hopes to install an estimated 300,000 meters across selected postal sectors in Singapore. They include Hougang, Tuas, Jurong West, and Butik Batok, together with new housing estates in Tampines North and Tengah.
Current meters can only be manually read every 2 months, whereas smart meters provide the same accurate readings at regular intervals on a daily basis. Managing your almost real-time water usage data will empower you to take active steps in adjusting your water usage habits, consequently conserving water and saving money at the same time. So if you’re in any of the aforementioned postal sectors, be sure to grab a Smart Water Meter!
Method 3: remember water-saving habits.
Lastly, one simple way to remember good water-saving habits is the acronym WATER. It’s easy to remember, which also makes the tips easy to practise regardless of your age. It doesn’t stop there either, there are even more tips and tricks available for you to read on the site if you would like more pointers!
Perhaps you might even find these suggestions to be easy once you’ve tried it once, and thereafter even form a habit out of the above water-saving advice! Whether it’s celebrating it at home or participating in activities outside, World Water Day is all about reducing water wastage and encouraging water sustainability. So what really matters at the end of the day is being able to practise good water usage habits. Remember, only you can make every drop count!
Like this article? Why not check out 12 mangroves and wetlands to explore in Singapore or 6 ways HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir is a sustainable, waterfront haven?
