thirsty@SG

About

Introduction:

Since my arrival in Singapore in Aug 2022, I've noticed some genuinely user-friendly aspects of the city. One prominent example is the abundance of free water dispensers, found in airports, food court corners, near public restrooms, within condom, and especially along parks and greenways. Given Singapore's tropical, equatorial climate, it's easy to get dehydrated when outdoors. Carrying water everywhere can be cumbersome, and buying water can be economically burdensome.

Access to free, safe drinking water outdoors is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy outdoor activities like running or hiking, like myself. However, this raises a question: How do I find these water points when exploring unfamiliar areas?

Attempted Solutions:

I tried searching on Google Maps and Apple Maps, but to no avail – such data is probably only relevant in Singapore and is a niche need, not covered by these major platforms. Even various Singapore government websites didn't provide the answers I sought.

I found someone who attempted something similar here. The creator, a first-year university student, used Google Forms to gather data and display it on a custom Google Map. However, it seems the project hasn't been updated in over half year, and several known points around me are missing. Moreover, most points lack pictures, which could make practical usage challenging.

My Solution:

I decided to create a mobile app embedded with a map SDK. Upon opening, the app shows nearby water points, giving details like latitude and longitude, the floor(storey), and whether the water is room temperature, cold, or hot. It also displays a picture of the area and easily integrates with third-party map applications for navigation.

Of course, I don't have complete data. Hence, the app includes a feature to "upload a water point", encouraging community participation to gradually enhance the database. The goal is to cover most of the water points in Singapore. Thus, thirsty@SG was born. However, as I'm new to SwiftUI and not very skilled in UI design, the app may have some minor issues and a basic interface, but I'm committed to improving it.

The App:

You can download the thirsty@SG app [here]. It's currently available only for iOS, as I'm not familiar with Android app development, and there are no immediate plans for an Android version. Also, the app is intended for use exclusively within Singapore for now.

Uploading Water Points:

To upload a water point, click on the bottom left corner of the app. You'll need to take a photo of the water point, as the app automatically captures the location's latitude and longitude. Fill in the necessary information and hit "upload." The uploaded data won't instantly appear in the app; to prevent misuse and misinformation, I've implemented a review process, mainly focusing on the uploaded photo. Hence, only photos taken on the spot are accepted.

You can opt to provide your email when uploading, but rest assured, this information won't be publicly disclosed. In the future, if a membership system is introduced, those who have contributed will automatically be considered premium members. (Yes, I'm dreaming big!)

Contact and Inquiries:

For any issues with the app or further queries, contact me via Twitter here. I welcome all inquiries and feedback.