Water
The relationship between the sea (Telok Ayer "adjacent to the sea") and clean water (Kreta Ayer "Oxcart Water Source) has been etched in public memory by the name Kreta Ayer which signifies the original wells where fresh water could be carted by ox-carts to the waterfront in order to replenish the trading vessels that took advantage of the island's strategic location and in the coming years proved advantageous to Singapore to thrive as a free port under British rule.
Map of Water Origin
Ann Siang Hill Well
One of the remaining wells that served fresh water to the neighborhood on the hills of Telok Ayer.
Pearl’s Hill Reservoir
Reservoir built in 1898 to supply drinking water to Kreta Ayer and it continues to be the main source of freshwater to the area. It is one of 13 reservoirs in Singapore under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act.
Coastline
It is important to note that Kreta Ayer used to be by the waterfront before the land reclamation.
