Beyond NEWater: An insight into Singapore's water reuse prospects

Indirect potable water reuse has been implemented island-wide in Singapore over the last 15 years. Nowadays, water reuse provides in average 30% of the nation's water demand and the so-called NEWater success story has largely contributed to turning Singapore into a global hydrohub for pioneering new water technologies. In this context, this short review presents the latest technological advances and the perspectives for water reuse in Singapore. Areas of focus include membrane development (including forward, reverse and pressure retarded osmosis, as well as membrane bioreactors), advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical approaches, and their integration as cost-effective tailored solutions to tackle new challenges as diverse as direct potable reuse, industrial water reuse, decentralized water reuse and the circular economy.