Singapore - recycled water one day - desalination and a new dam the next ...

Proponents of the controversial Toowoomba recycled water project often say that it should be introduced because Singapore has recycled water.

If recycled water is the right strategy, why is it that Singapore has the "four taps" policy? Why has Singapore just opened the largest desalination plant and why is it planning a new dam?

See - Reuters article

Singapore has two water agreements with Malaysia - one expiring in 2011 and the other in 2061. Singapore's shift to recycled water (mainly for industrial uses) and desalination has been justified on national security grounds - to minimise the influence Malaysia has on it because of the water agreements.

The situation in Toowoomba is completely different and the two situations should not be confused.