Exhibits include fish with fluorescent livers and spring water taps
Neo Chai Chin, Today Online 26 Jun 08;
MOST of the companies are showcasing sophisticated wastewater and membrane technologies, but there are some exhibitors with quirkier offerings at the Water Expo, which ends today.
On display are a water quality surveillance system using small aquarium fish and water treatment technology that could result in less detergent used in households.
The fish, bred with genes that cause their livers to turn fluorescent when exposed to cancer-causing estrogenic compounds, are the work of a biological sciences team from the National University of Singapore’s Environmental Research Institute, which hopes to develop an online water monitoring system as well as more types of transgenic fish that respond to other contaminants including organic pollutants and heavy metals.
Meanwhile, Japanese firmTamura System has a gadget that infuses tap water with the texture and mineral content of mountain spring water. The Carna water treatment system adds negative ions to the water, increasing its cleaning power, which means less detergent is needed for the dishes and laundry, said Mr Ryokan Potier, 32, Tamura’s international department director.
According to him, 35,000 households and 5,000 commercial properties in Japan use the Carna system, which costs ¥280,000 ($3,545) in Japan. Filtration systems distributor Waterealm hopes todistribute it here soon, said its sales representative Winfred Khoo.
“My company’s office in Singapore uses it now and you can definitely taste the difference in the water,” said Mr Khoo, 39.
More than 350 participants from 20 countries are exhibiting their products at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of the World Cities Summit and Singapore International Water Week.
Even a biodiesel firm, Alpha Synovate, has a presence. The company turns waste vegetable oil into bio-diesel, and last year donated a micro-processor to a Cambodian orphanage so it could generate income by collecting waste vegetable oil from nearby businesses and selling the biodiesel end-product to a hospital.
According to Alpha Synovate chief executive Allan Lim, 36, water technologies and clean fuel are all about making the world a better place. “It’s about being part of the solution,” he said.
