The launch was officiated by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
President Tan arrived by boat, to a drum fanfare by pupils of Fuhua Primary School.
In his speech before the launch, President Tan said water security cannot be taken for granted.
He said: "Demand for water is expected to double over the next 50 years, and unfortunately, changing climate patterns have added to the uncertainty of our limited water supply.
"We will need the collective efforts of every individual, young and old, not just to conserve water in our daily activities, but to also keep our water resources clean for long-term sustainability."
Also taking part in the launch ceremony were about 500 cyclists, kayakers and dragon boaters. They converged at Marina Barrage, after having meandered through key 'Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters' sites islandwide.
More than 25,000 people are expected to turn up at 15 locations islandwide to mark World Water Day, with some 10,000 people expected at Marina Barrage alone.
Over at Jurong Lake, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam joined more than 1,000 people to set the record for Singapore's biggest-ever Mass Water Filtration Exercise.
At the Lorong Halus Wetland, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and park-goers also helped raise awareness on the importance of conserving water by going on a walk that symbolised the distance many in other parts of the world journey for clean water.
Mr Teo also spoke of the need to reduce water consumption.
"Each person in Singapore uses 154 litres of water per day - that's quite a lot. What we're trying to do is in ten years time, to reduce that amount to 147 litres per day," he said.
This year's theme is 'Singapore Celebrates World Water Day: Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters for All'.
World Water Day in Singapore is organised by national water agency, PUB, along with its 125 community partners.
It is Singapore's fourth commemoration of World Water Day.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development designated March 22 as World Water Day to raise awareness on the importance of preserving global water resources.
- CNA/cc/ac
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