SS 577:2012 – Water Efficiency Management Systems
The new Singapore Standard, SS 577:2012, for Water Efficiency Management Systems (WEMS) was jointly launched by Singapore Standards Council and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, in March this year. The newly launched standard is the first of its kind in the world, providing non-domestic water users with a framework,methodology and set of guidelines to put in place policies, systems and processes to improve water efficiency.
Competitive Advantages of SS 577:2012
The SS 577:2012 standard was launched to encourage the reduction of water consumption for non-domestic water users. One component is to ensure the development of a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP), which includes an analysis of current water usage, ability to identify potential costs savings and a timeline for implementation of the plan.
Funding for SMEs
In order to encourage the adoption of the standard, PUB has in place initiatives and incentives under the 10 per cent Challenge programme in the form of funding, the Water Efficiency Fund (WEF) and recognition through Water Efficiency Building (WEB) Gold and Silver certification. The WEF is a co-funding scheme where funds will be provided to help companies to monitor and improve their water usage, and develop their WEMPs. As for the WEB certification, in order to be certified as a Gold Certification Water user, the water user will have to be certified against the Singapore Standard SS 577:2012 by a certification body accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Feasibility Study Project
- Certification to SS 577:2012 Water Efficiency Management Systems. PUB will co-fund 50% of the total costs for certification (consultancy cost and 1st year certification audit cost for SS 577:2012) under Feasibility Study Project, subject to a cap of $10,000*.
*For premises with monthly water consumption of 1,000 cu m or less, the funding cap will be $5,000.
- Funding for certification to SS577:2012 is considered revenue in nature and taxable by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Others
- PUB will co-fund 50% of the feasibility study cost, subject to a cap of $50,000.
- In the event that the feasibility study shows that it is not feasible to implement the water conservation initiatives, PUB will co-fund 10% of the feasibility study cost, subject to a cap of $10,000.
2. Water Audit Project
- PUB will co-fund 90% of the water audit cost, subject to a cap of $15,000*. This water audit cost can include the cost of procuring and/or installation of water metres. The metres shall be procured from PUB subject to availability.
- PUB will co-fund an additional 90% of the upgrading /installation cost for remote metering, if any, subject to an additional cap of $15,000*.
- For water audit projects which involve consultancy study, the funding for the consultancy study component is considered revenue in nature and taxable by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore.
*For premises with monthly water consumption of 1,000 cu m or less, the funding cap will be $5,000. For premises with monthly water consumption > 1,000 cu m and ≤ 3,000 cu m/mth, the funding cap will be $10,000.
3. Recycling Efforts / Use of Alternative Source of Water
With effect from 1 Apr 14,
- PUB will support the customer at $0.60 for every m3 of PW / $0.30 for every m3 of NW / $0.10 for every m3 of IW saved over the economic life of the facilities or 7 years (whichever is earlier), or
- up to 50% of the capital cost of the facilities.
*whichever is lower and subject to a cap of $1 million per project.
4. Community-wide Water Conservation Campaigns and Programmes
- PUB will co-fund 50% of the cost of organising the programme, subject to a cap of $200 – $5,000 (depending on type of programme).
- Items considered for funding include educational materials such as posters, pamphlets, rental of venues, etc.
- Funding of community wide water conservation campaigns and programmes is considered revenue in nature and taxable by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Projects Not Eligible for Funding
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Rainwater harvesting projects.
- Initiatives that are put in place to comply with regulatory requirements, e.g. water-saving devices such as water efficient taps and flushing cisterns, trade effluent discharge limits or earth control requirements.
- Premises that purchase water efficient fittings like taps, showerheads, flushing cisterns, urinals etc.
- Use of NW/IW to replace potable water.
- New developments and premises undergoing redevelopment with building plan submission from 1 April 2013 are not eligible for funding of procurement and /or installation of private water metres and remote metering under Water Audit Projects
Process Flow
Initial
Consultation
Our consultant will contact you to gather information about your organization to understand your company needs and ISO standard requirements.
Gap Analysis and Planning
Assess your organization’s current practices and identify gaps. Develop a plan to address the gaps and achieve ISO compliance.
Documentation and Implementation
Develop necessary documentation, policies, and procedures. Implement the changes and new processes within your organization.
Training and Awareness
Provide training to employees on ISO standard requirements and their roles in the implementation.
Internal Audits
Conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the implemented ISO management system and identify areas for improvement.
Certification Audit and Issuance
Receive the ISO certification, upon successful audit from an accredited certification body.