With all the fees and taxes, we are paying about S$2 per cubic metre of water used...

This is a screen shot of part of the water bill that shows the rate of the various billed items, in Singapore homes. The water usage is charged at the current rate of S$1.17 per cubic metre.

By the way, 1 cubic metre of water is equivalent to 1000 litres. A typical 5-kg washing machine when filled to "High"-level, the volume of water used is about 50 litres. A full flush of the toilet bowl uses 9 litres of water.

But, S$1.17 is not all we have to pay! Additionally, we have to pay the Waterborne Fee which is S$0.28 per cubic metre of water used. Furthermore, we have to pay 30% Water Conservation Tax on the water charges and 7% Goods & Services Tax on the total amount charged. At the end of it all, for every cubic metre of water used, we are paying about 65% over and above the water rate of S$1.17 per cubic metre, i.e. about S$1.90 per cubic metre. So, for every cubic metre of water saved, we save about S$2.

There are many ways water consumption can be reduced. Some measures would require changes in lifestyle and daily habits.