1 . Singapore uses about two billion liters of water every day-a number it expects could double in the next four decades.
That kind of consumption is adding pressure to the Asian city state to address growing concerns about global water shortage. So it's building new technology to prepare itself for a future where obtaining clean water will be even more difficult. "Singapore truly has become a global water center,"said Shane Snyder,executive director of the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. “But as it stands, it imports approximately 40% of its water today. And with climate change,that water has become far less dependable.”
Singapore, meanwhile, is home to more than five million people and is covered in fountains,reservoirs and other water features-including the world's tallest indoor waterfall, The Rain Vortex that pumps about 45,000 liters of water per minute. But it has no natural water sources of its own,instead relying heavily on recycled water and imports from its neighbors.
Snyder's research facility is one of several places developing solutions for Singapore's water dependency. The hope is to create projects that could be used across the city. "What we have become used to as reliable water may quickly change-so we have to be prepared,and we have to be thinking about the basic facilities in advance. " Snyder said. " There's a big drive to become water independent-to control our own future -and that is largely dependent on the technologies we're developing. "
Another company,Wateroam, is already taking innovation from Singapore to the rest of the region. Founded in 2014,Wateroam says it has developed a lightweight,portable filtration（过滤）device that has already provided clean drinking water to more than 75,000 people across Southeast Asia. Wateroam CEO David Pong said one of the most innovative aspects of the product is its simplicity. The water filtration device is no bigger than a bicycle pump,yet it can provide clean water to villages of 100 people for up to two years.
"We've been very blessed to have access to clean drinking water," Pong said. It's necessary to bring the privilege to the rest of the region, and advocate that clean water is an essential aspect for life on Earth,according to him.
1. What worsens the water shortage problem in Singapore?| A．More water imports. | B．The lack of technology. |
| C．The increasing population. | D．Double water consumption. |
| A．Searching for natural water sources. |
| B．Controlling the increase of population. |
| C．Importing water from more neighbors. |
| D．Using technologies to provide clean water. |
| A．It is easy to carry and use. |
| B．It is larger than a bicycle pump. |
| C．It has already been used across Asia. |
| D．It has already been in use for two years. |
| A．Clean water is an essential aspect for life on Earth. |
| B．Technology can help Singapore out with its water shortage. |
| C．The increasing water consumption is adding pressure to Singapore. |
| D．Singapore's filtration device has provided many people with clean water. |
