When you first move in, the small everyday questions matter most. Can you drink the tap water Singapore supplies straight from the kitchen? What plug does your laptop need? Why does the bathroom mirror keep fogging up? This guide walks through the practical home facts newcomers ask about first, from water and electricity to gas, humidity and where to buy the basics, so your new flat feels sorted within a week.
Is Singapore tap water safe to drink?
Yes. This is the reassuring part, so let us settle it right away: is Singapore tap water safe? It is. Water from the tap is supplied by PUB, the national water agency, and it is treated to meet the World Health Organisation’s drinking water guidelines. You can pour a glass straight from the kitchen tap and drink it, cold or at room temperature, without boiling or filtering first.
That means no need to buy bottled water for daily drinking, and no need to boil the kettle before making a cup of tea just for safety’s sake. Many locals do boil water out of long habit, and some prefer the taste of filtered or chilled water, but that is preference, not necessity. If you want cold water on tap, a simple filter jug in the fridge or a countertop dispenser does the job.
A couple of practical notes. In older buildings, water may sit in internal pipes and rooftop tanks that are the building’s responsibility, not PUB’s, so if a tap has not run for a while, let it flow for a few seconds first. If water ever looks discoloured after works in your area, run the tap until it clears. And if you want to confirm the technical details for your address, PUB publishes water quality information and is the authority to check.
Where does the water come from? The NEWater story
Singapore is a small island with limited natural water, so it built one of the most resilient water systems anywhere. Supply comes from what the country calls its “four national taps”: local rainwater collected in reservoirs, imported water, desalinated seawater, and NEWater.
NEWater is worth knowing about because newcomers often hear the phrase and wonder what it means. It is treated used water that is purified again to a very high grade using advanced membrane technology and ultraviolet disinfection. Most NEWater is used by industry, especially factories that need ultra-clean water, which frees up reservoir water for homes. A smaller amount is added to reservoirs during dry spells before going through normal treatment again. It is clean, it is safe, and it is a big reason the island stays water-secure. You are not drinking it neat from the tap, but it is part of what keeps your tap reliable.
Electricity: voltage, plug type and power sockets
Here is the essential you need before you plug anything in. Singapore runs on 230 volts at 50 hertz. The power socket Singapore uses is the Type G outlet, the same square three-pin design as the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Hong Kong. If you have lived in the UK, your appliances and plugs will fit straight in.
If you are arriving from a country with different plugs, sort out the voltage and plug type before you unpack:
- Same voltage, different plug (UK, most of Europe, Australia): most of your gadgets already handle 230V, so you just need a plug adapter to fit the Type G socket.
- Different voltage (US, Canada, Japan, much of the Americas and parts of Asia run on 100 to 127V): check each device. Phone chargers, laptops and most modern electronics are labelled “100 to 240V” and are fine with just an adapter. But hairdryers, some kettles and older appliances rated only for 110V can be damaged or become a fire risk, so those need a voltage converter or, more simply, replacing with a local version.
Always read the small print on the charger or the appliance label. If it says “INPUT: 100 to 240V, 50/60Hz,” you only need a physical adapter, not a converter.
Quick tip: buy one or two multi-country travel adapters for your first few days, then pick up proper Singapore power strips and plugs once you have settled. Local hardware and electronics shops sell them cheaply, and a UK-style power strip is tidier than a stack of adapters.
A safety note worth repeating: Type G plugs are fused and switched, so switch the socket off at the wall before plugging or unplugging, and do not overload a single outlet with high-draw appliances like heaters and kettles chained through adapters.
Gas and hot water in your home
How you get gas depends on your building. Newer flats and most condominiums are connected to piped town gas, billed monthly like your electricity and water. Some older or landed homes use LPG cylinders instead, where a supplier delivers a bottled canister that you swap when it runs low.
If your home is all-electric, you may have no gas at all: cooking is done on an induction or electric hob, and hot water comes from an electric storage or instant heater. Singapore’s climate means you rarely need heating, so a “water heater” here almost always refers to the shower, switched on only when you want a warm wash rather than running all day. Turn it off after showering to save energy.
When you move in, find and label two things early: the main water shut-off valve and the gas isolation valve if you have piped gas. Knowing where they are makes any leak or repair far less stressful. Utilities for most homes are set up through SP Group, which handles the combined electricity, water and gas account, and is the source to confirm connection and billing details for your address.
Managing humidity and mould
Singapore sits near the equator and stays warm and humid all year, often around 80 to 90 percent relative humidity. That comfort of never needing a coat comes with one catch: moisture. Left unchecked, humidity encourages mould on walls, in wardrobes and behind furniture, and it makes leather and electronics unhappy.
A few simple habits keep it under control:
- Ventilate. Open windows when the weather is dry, and run the bathroom fan or open the door after showering so steam clears.
- Use your air-conditioner’s dry mode. Most units have a dehumidify setting that pulls moisture out without freezing the room.
- Keep air moving. Do not push wardrobes flat against external walls; leave a small gap so air can circulate behind them.
- Use moisture absorbers. Cheap dehumidifying boxes and silica gel packs in cupboards, shoe cabinets and drawers make a real difference, especially for bags, cameras and documents.
- Dry laundry properly. Damp clothes left in a pile are a fast route to that musty smell, so hang them where air moves.
If you own valuable cameras or leather goods, a small electronic dry cabinet is a popular local solution. Deal with any small mould spots quickly with a suitable cleaner before they spread.
Saving water and energy: the local habit
Conservation is part of the culture here, not just a way to trim your bill. Because water is precious on a small island, PUB actively encourages households to use it wisely, and you will see water-efficiency labels on taps, showers and washing machines rating how much they use. Choosing higher-rated fittings genuinely lowers your monthly cost.
Easy wins that add up:
- Take shorter showers and turn the tap off while brushing your teeth or soaping up.
- Run the washing machine and dishwasher with full loads.
- Fix a dripping tap quickly, since a slow drip wastes a surprising amount over a month.
- Set the air-conditioner to a moderate temperature, around 25 degrees Celsius, rather than the coldest setting, and clean the filter regularly so it runs efficiently.
- Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
None of this is about going without. It is about not wasting, which fits how the whole city thinks about resources.
Where to buy household basics
Kitting out a new home is quick here. For everyday essentials, larger supermarkets stock cleaning supplies, kitchenware, small appliances and storage. Neighbourhood hardware shops are gold for adapters, power strips, light bulbs, tools and the odd fitting. For furniture and flat-pack basics, well-known big-box furniture retailers and homeware chains cover most needs, and online marketplaces deliver almost anything to your door within a day or two.
A sensible first-week shopping list looks like this:
- A couple of Type G power strips and any adapters you still need
- A filter jug or kettle, plus basic kitchenware
- Dehumidifying boxes and silica packs for cupboards
- Cleaning supplies and a small mop or vacuum
- Extra hangers and a drying rack for laundry
Buy the essentials first and add the rest as you learn how you actually live in the space. Within a week or two, the flat stops feeling like a hotel and starts feeling like home.
Explore more: Setting up your HDB home and Surviving the Singapore heat.