Brunei's Drinking Water: Clean And Safe?

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a small but wealthy country located in Southeast Asia. With a population of just under half a million, the country has reported that 100% of its citizens have access to clean and safe drinking water. This is largely due to the country's six government-run water treatment plants, as well as private water treatment plants operated by companies like Brunei Shell Petroleum. Despite this achievement, Brunei faces challenges in wastewater management, river water quality, water security, and water resource management. The country has implemented strategies to address these issues and maintain its high drinking water standards, including integrated planning and development, adoption of alternative funding mechanisms, and promoting water conservation.

Brunei's water supply

Brunei has a tropical climate with high temperatures and rainfall. The country's water supply management is the responsibility of the Water Services Department/Public Works Department (DWS/PWD) under the Ministry of Development.

Sources of Water

Surface water supply, which makes up about 99% of water used for all purposes in Brunei, comes from the four river basins of Daerah Tutong, Kuala Belait, and Temburong. The Brunei River, in particular, has been a major freshwater source for the western part of the country. Despite being used for transportation and waste disposal, it has remained largely unaffected due to its natural capacity for self-purification.

In the Sungai Liang and Seria areas of the Belait district and in the Berakas area of the Brunei-Muara district, limited reserves of groundwater have been found.

Water Treatment

Six government treatment plants are located across the country to maintain good drinking water quality. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Brunei Shell's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operate private water treatment plants. Bottled water factories also use advanced water technology to purify drinking water for the local population.

Water Quality

Water quality in Brunei has the potential to decrease in the future if no action is taken. High levels of water pollution in the Brunei River have been traced to wastewater treatment plants, industrial discharge, and polluted streams. Point and non-point pollution sources, including residential, industrial, and agricultural outlets, are currently the main sources of pollution.

Strategies for Water Conservation and Sustainability

Brunei has implemented strategies to address the issue of high water consumption and prevent the degradation of water quality:

• Integrated planning and development: Creating a data-sharing platform.
• Adoption of alternative funding mechanisms: Reducing dependency on government funds and increasing financial robustness for effective implementation of water projects.
• Water balance: Addressing non-revenue water, reviewing water tariffs, and strengthening water conservation awareness and enforcement.
• Water conservation initiatives: The Water Conservation Unit (WCU) was created in 2012 with the target of reducing per capita water consumption from 420 litres/day to 350 litres/day within three years. Activities include promoting water-saving habits, installing water-efficient devices, and organizing water conservation events.
• Upgrades to monitoring systems: Under the Tenth National Development Plan, the government has proposed upgrades to existing monitoring systems and quality management frameworks.
• Water infrastructure development: Constructing new water infrastructure, including reservoirs, dams, drainage systems, and treatment plants.
• International cooperation: Securing international cooperation from countries like Singapore to improve water quality monitoring.
• Climate change adaptation: Constructing two barrages for the main river source to prevent seawater intrusion and regulate river flow during long droughts.

Access to Clean Drinking Water

According to reports, 99.9% of the population in Brunei is provided with clean water, and the country has achieved 100% access to clean and safe drinking water. However, there are still challenges in wastewater treatment, river water quality, water security, and water resource management.

Water quality

Brunei Darussalam reported that 100% of its population has access to clean and safe drinking water. However, the country also reported challenges in river water quality, wastewater, water security, and water resource management. The Brunei River, a major freshwater source for the western part of the country, has high levels of water pollution traced to wastewater treatment plants, industrial discharge, and polluted streams. The government has identified population density and urban catchment systems as the primary reasons for the pollution in the river. Point and non-point pollution sources, including residential, industrial, and agricultural outlets, are the main sources of pollution in the Brunei River.

To address these issues, the government has implemented several strategies. Six government treatment plants located across the country maintain good drinking water quality. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Brunei Shell's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operate private water treatment plants, and bottled water factories use advanced water technology to purify drinking water for the local population. Under the Tenth National Development Plan, the government has proposed upgrades to existing monitoring systems and quality management frameworks.

To maintain high levels of water quality and meet the demands of a growing population, the government has introduced water conservation and sustainability measures. New designs focusing on riverside development and integrated water resource management plans have been unveiled, including the construction of new water infrastructure such as drainage systems and treatment plants. The country has also built reservoirs and dams to help prevent seawater intrusion and manage river flow. Additionally, they have utilized hydrological data and technology, secured international cooperation from countries like Singapore, and enhanced water quality monitoring with a new water lab and 11 new water quality parameters.

By adapting to the threats of climate change and utilizing the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) framework's goals and action plans, Brunei aims to sustain and enhance its water quality.

Water treatment

Brunei Darussalam reported that 100% of its population has access to clean and safe drinking water, with six government treatment plants in different parts of the country maintaining good drinking water quality. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Brunei Shell’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) also operate private water treatment plants. Bottled water factories make use of advanced water technology to purify drinking water for the local population.

Coagulation and Flocculation

First, raw water is run through a screen to separate visible solids from the liquid. Then, aluminium sulfate (alum) and/or polymer is added to the liquid. When mixed, this causes tiny particles of dirt to stick together or coagulate. These groups of dirt particles then join to form larger, heavier particles called flocs, which are easier to remove by settling or filtration.

Sedimentation

As the water and the floc particles progress through the treatment process, they move into sedimentation tanks. Here, the water moves slowly, causing the heavy floc particles to settle at the bottom. The settled floc is called sludge and is piped to drying lagoons. In direct filtration, the sedimentation step is skipped, and the floc is removed by filtration only.

Filtration

Water flows through a filter designed to remove particles. The filters are made of layers of sand and gravel, and sometimes crushed anthracite. Filtration collects the suspended impurities in water, enhancing the effectiveness of disinfection. These filters are routinely cleaned by backwashing.

Disinfection

Water is disinfected before it enters the distribution system to destroy any disease-causing microorganisms. Chlorine is often used as it is a very effective disinfectant, and residual concentrations can guard against microbial contamination in the water distribution system.

Fluoridation

Community water supplies are treated with a concentration of the free fluoride ion, adjusted to an optimal level to reduce dental decay.

PH Adjustment

Lime is added to filtered water to adjust the pH and stabilise the naturally soft water. This minimises corrosion in the distribution system and within customers' plumbing.

Water security

Current State of Water Security in Brunei:

Brunei has made significant progress in providing access to clean drinking water for its population. According to a 2020 report, 100% of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water. This achievement is notable, especially considering the country's high population density and urbanization rate. However, maintaining this level of access is a challenge due to various factors.

Strategies to Address Water Security:

Brunei has implemented several strategies to address water security concerns and ensure sustainable water management. These strategies include:

• Integrated Planning and Development: The country aims to create a data-sharing platform to facilitate integrated planning and development of water resources. This approach will help balance the needs of different sectors and ensure efficient water utilization.
• Alternative Funding Mechanisms: Brunei seeks to reduce its dependency on government funds for water projects. By adopting alternative funding mechanisms, the country aims to increase financial robustness and effectively implement various water initiatives.
• Water Balance: Brunei is addressing non-revenue water issues, reviewing water tariffs, and strengthening water conservation awareness and enforcement. These measures will help optimize water usage and reduce wastage.
• Wastewater Treatment: Brunei provides wastewater treatment services at no cost to the public. This initiative not only ensures proper waste disposal but also contributes to maintaining the quality of water resources.
• Water Conservation: The country has established a Water Conservation Unit (WCU) to promote water-saving habits through various media channels and educational institutions. The WCU also encourages rainwater harvesting and sets targets for per capita water consumption reduction.
• International Cooperation: Brunei has secured international cooperation from countries like Singapore to enhance its water quality monitoring capabilities and management practices.
• Infrastructure Development: The construction of reservoirs and dams helps prevent seawater intrusion and manage river flow. Additionally, the country has invested in new water infrastructure, including drainage systems and advanced water treatment plants.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Brunei has constructed two barrages to prevent saline intrusion and regulate river flow during long droughts. These climate change adaptation measures are crucial for ensuring a stable water supply.
• Legislative Enforcement: The country enforces various acts, such as the Land Act, Town and Country Planning Acts, Water Act, and Environment Acts, to safeguard water catchments from pollution and ensure sustainable water resource management.
• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Brunei utilizes the IWRM framework to effectively manage its water resources and provisions. This comprehensive approach integrates various aspects of water management, including supply, sanitation, and quality monitoring.

Future Challenges and Goals:

While Brunei has made impressive strides in water security, it still faces challenges in wastewater management, river water quality, and water resource management. The country aims to maintain 100% access to clean and safe drinking water and improve access to sanitation services. By 2035, Brunei plans to increase access to sanitation from 93% to 97% while ensuring that these achievements are sustained in an environmentally friendly manner.

Water conservation

Brunei Darussalam has reported that 100% of its population has access to clean and safe drinking water. However, the country also acknowledges the challenges it faces in wastewater, river water quality, water security, and water resource management. To address these issues, Brunei has implemented strategies such as integrated planning and development, the adoption of alternative funding mechanisms, and a focus on water conservation awareness and enforcement.

• Greywater Recycling Systems: Greywater is the water used in baths, hand basins, and showers. Greywater recycling systems collect and reuse this water for tasks like toilet flushing and external usage.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater harvesting systems collect rainwater, which can then be used for garden irrigation, toilet flushing, and even washing machines. This helps to reduce the waste of rainwater, which is a precious natural resource.
• Efficient Irrigation Technology: Smart irrigation controllers can track factors like precipitation and temperature to avoid over-watering. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the base of plants, reducing water wastage.
• Water Metering: Water metering involves measuring water use in each residential unit to track consumption and billing.
• Pressure-Reducing Valves: High water pressure can waste a lot of water. Pressure-reducing valves can lower the incoming water pressure, reducing water consumption and protecting plumbing components.
• Insulating Piping and Storage Tanks: Properly insulating hot water pipes and storage tanks ensures that hot water is immediately available, reducing water wastage while waiting for hot water to flow.
• Water-Efficient Taps and Showers: Water-efficient taps can reduce water flow rates or automatically turn off the flow when not in use. Water-saving showerheads control the water flow rate and spray pattern, reducing water consumption during bathing.
• Efficient Toilets: Low-flow toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, which is less than half of what older toilets use. This significantly reduces water wastage.
• Waterless Urinals: Conventional urinals can harbour bacteria and release them into the air when flushed. Waterless urinals dry out between uses, preventing contamination and conserving water.
• Water Management: Effective water management involves planning, developing, and managing water resources in terms of both quantity and quality. Civic authorities play a crucial role in supplying water and addressing issues like pipe leakage to ensure efficient water conservation.
• Practices at Home: Individuals can contribute to water conservation by adopting simple habits such as turning off taps while brushing teeth or shaving, taking shorter showers, and fixing leaking taps and pipes promptly.

Frequently asked questions