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Singapore’s Response to Sanitation and Water Challenges

Ooi Kian EngDirector

PUB, national water agency of SingaporeMinistry of the Environment and Water Resources

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Land Area: ~700 sqkmPopulation: 5 millionRainfall: 2.4m/yearWater Demand: 300mgd

Singapore’s Water Challenges

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Clear and committed vision, and strong will from political leaders

“The sustainable development of cities is one key challenge of our time. Good Governance is vital in tackling this challenge, and achieving the right balance between economic growth, environmental protection and high quality of life…..”

Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister

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Hygiene

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1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Year

Population ('000)

Population('000) Population served by night soil

Population served by moden sanitation

1987: Nightsoil

phased out

1997: 100%

modern sanitation

Achieved 100% Sanitation by 1997

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Strict Regulation through Legislation and Enforcement

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Leveraging on innovations and adopting new water technology

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Closing the Water Loop

From sourcing, collection, purification and supply of drinking water, to treatment of used water and turning it into NEWater, drainage of storm water

treatment oftreatment ofraw to potableraw to potablewaterwater

supply of supply of water to thewater to thepopulation & population & industriesindustries

seasearainrainstormwater stormwater managementmanagement

collection collection of rainfall of rainfall in drains & in drains & reservoirsreservoirs

reclamationreclamationof of used waterused water(NEWater)(NEWater)

collectioncollectionof used waterof used waterin sewersin sewers

treatment treatment ofofused waterused water

desalinationdesalination

SeaRain

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4 National Taps

3P Approach“Water for All”

“Conserve, Value, Enjoy”

Sustainable Water Management

Supply Demand

9Water for All

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Local Water Catchments

PunggolPunggol

Legend

Unprotected Water Catchment

Protected Water Catchment

New Water Catchment

Protected CatchmentUnprotected

CatchmentUrban Stormwater Collection System

MacRitchie ReservoirMacRitchie Reservoir

Kranji Reservoir

Bedok Stormwater Pond

• Two-thirds of Singapore’s land area is water catchment,

with longer term plan to increase it to 90%

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Imported Water from Johor, Malaysia

• Two water agreements with Johor: one expired in 2011, the other will expire in 2061

Second National Tap

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NEWater

NEWater pipeline

NEWater Plant

Service Reservoir

Legend Ulu Pandan Plant

17 mgd

18 mgd

Changi Plant

Third National Tap

Kranji Plant

Bedok Plant

NEWater meets 30% of Singapore’s water needs

32 mgd

50 mgd

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TreatedUsed Water

Microfiltration / Ultrafiltration

Reverse Osmosis

Ultraviolet DisinfectionNEWater

Secondary Treated Effluent

4) 3-Steps NEWater Treatment Process to Drinking Water Quality

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NEWater

Branding as ‘NEWater’NEWater Visitor Centre

Garnering Public Acceptance

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Endorsement by leaders

• Top government officials including the then Prime Minister of Singapore showed their support by drinking NEWater publicly

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Desalinated Water To augment and diversify our water

resources

SingSpring Pte. Ltd., under a 20 year DBOO arrangement with PUB

One of the largest seawater RO plants

Supply of 30 mgd for 20 years

Opened on 13 Sep 05

Fourth National Tap

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3-in-1 Marina BarrageFlood Control Water supply Lifestyle attraction

MARINA RESERVOIR

SEA

Construction of drainage pumping station at Marina South

Construction of barrage

“Creating a reservoir in the city centre of Singapore”

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North Tunnel

Changi WRP

Jurong WRP

Ulu Pandan WRP

Kranji WRP

Seletar WRP(decommissioned )

Kim Chuan WRP(decommissioned)

Bedok WRP(decommissioned)

Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS)

Phase 2 Phase 1(completed 2009)

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DTSS Pumping Station

Digesters

Solids Treatment Building

Liquids Treatment Modules

Changi Water Reclamation Plant

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Rising Energy Prices

Stringent Regulations& Higher Public Expectations

Prices set to increase in the long run

Population Growth Population Growth

Climate Change

Challenges Ahead – Leveraging on R&D & Technology

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Benefits:Energy consumption:

3.5kWh/m3 to 1.7kWh/m3

Increase catchment area from two-thirds to 90% of Singapore

Variable Salinity PlantsJourney to Low Energy Treatment

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SWROCurrent 3.5 kWh/m3

Short-term < 1.5 kWh/m3

– Variable Salinity Process : 1.7 kWh/m3

– Memstill (with waste heat): 1.0 kWh/m3

– Electrochemical Desalting: 1.5 kWh/m3

Breakthrough R&D

Biomimetic Membranes / Biomimicry of Natural Desalination Processes

Mangrove

Long- term < 0.75 kWh/m3

Aquaporins

Journey to Low Energy Treatment

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UASB

Raw Sewage

Final Effluent

Membrane Chamber

RO UnitActivated Sludge

Journey to Low Energy Treatment

Advantages of UASB system• Biogas production for power

generation• Reduction in power usage• Less space• Less sludge generation

Prof. Gatze LettingaLKY Water Prize 09 Recipient

UASB System for Wastewater Treatment

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Our Waters ProgrammeFriends of Water

NEWater Visitor Centre

Community Outreach

3P Approach

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The Blue Map of Singapore

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Kolam Ayer Project - Before

Existing

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Existing

Proposed

Kolam Ayer Project - After

Proposed

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Lower Seletar Reservoir

Existing

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Proposed

Family Bay at Lower Seletar Reservoir

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Regional Cooperation

Singapore Cooperation Program Training Award (SCPTA)– The primary platform through which Singapore offers technical assistance to other

countries. Water–related courses include water infrastructure project financing, sustainable water resource management and strategic used water management etc..  Developing East Asia countries are eligible. More info - http://www.scp.gov.sg/content/scp/courses_offered_applicationprocedure/training_calendar/water.html

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Regional Cooperation

Temasek Foundation Water Leadership Program– Designed for water leaders operating in Asian emerging markets that are adapting to the

increasing water and sanitation demands placed on them. It aims to expose participants to the best practices in water utilities governance, practical guidance on managing water utilities effectively, and potential strategies to deal with existing and future challenges. More info - http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/TFWLP_Programme.aspx or Contact Ms Luana Chow luanac@nus.edu.sg or call (+65) 6516 7167

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Regional Cooperation

– World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre

Regional Cooperation

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                Singapore  PUB-WHO Workshop on Water Safety Plan on 22 Feb 12                                                                                              

MWA Governor meeting with CE, PUB in Nov 2011 in Bangkok

Regional Cooperation

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• Inaugural event started in 2008

• Gained traction as a premier global water event

• Key highlights include Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Water Leaders Summit (by invitation only), Water Convention, Water Expo & Business Forums

• 5th SIWW held in conjunction with World Cities Summit & CleanEnviro Summit Singapore

The Global Platform for the Sharing and Co-Creation of Innovative Water Solutions

Programme Concept

Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

An international water prize to recognise the achievements of individuals and/or organisations in the development of breakthrough water technologies

Water Leaders SummitA by-invitation, high-level event bringing together global water leaders to discuss pertinent water issues and policy solutions

Water ConventionA leading-edge international technology conference to share and discuss technical solutions

Water ExpoAn international water technologies exhibition showcasing leading water technologies and products

Business Forums A platform for networking, business matching & sharing of market opportunities

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Thank You