COME 2012, we will have to be more self-reliant for our water supply.
Letter from Chew Wai Soon Straits Times Forum 7 Aug 08;
I propose Pulau Ubin be linked to mainland Singapore to create a huge reservoir.
On the eastern end of Pulau Ubin, a two-tier road can be built so the lower deck allows cyclists to cycle between Singapore and Pulau Ubin. The upper deck will be another route for vehicles to go to and from Malaysia. Jetties can jut out from both sides of the link - the reservoir side for smaller boats such as kayaks, sailing and racing boats, and water scooters, while bigger boats can dock on the other side. Bicycle rental kiosks, souvenir shops and so on can be built at the starting point of the link at the Singapore end. Further reclamation at the Singapore end will allow immigration offices and multistorey carparks to be built.
On the link at the western end of Pulau Ubin, bicycle rental kiosks, food centres and souvenir shops with solar-panelled roofs can be built for cyclists to cycle between Singapore and Pulau Ubin.
Pavilions can also be extended from both links into the reservoir for relaxation, photography and fishing.
Pulau Ubin can be promoted extensively as a venue for camping, mountain biking, adventure, trekking, hiking, jogging, horse riding and prawn fishing (to meet strong demand for youngsters to rough it out and enjoy nature).
The proposed reservoir will mean less land use elsewhere - some of the existing reservoirs can be redefined as collection centres for rainwater and Newater, and their water channelled into Pulau Ubin reservoir. The surrounding land can then be freed for other use, such as residential development to house a growing population.
Feedstock for Pulau Ubin reservoir can also be had from excess water from the smaller reservoirs, from rainwater and Newater to be collected from the northern and eastern parts of Singapore and from more Newater that could be generated.
Big water pipes connected to both links at Pulau Ubin would help to drain seawater between Pulau Ubin and the Causeway and provide a change of seawater according to the tides. Energy-generating turbines can be incorporated into these seawater pipes.
Coney Island can be reclaimed further to become part of the mainland and pavilions can be extended from Coney Island into the reservoir.
The damming of the water between Pulau Ubin and Singapore to become a huge reservoir promises many possibilities for development, for meeting future water needs and for recreation.
I urge the authorities to look into these great benefits on our doorstep.
Latest comments
STTeam Administrator, 7 Aug 08, 05:50 AM
COME 2012, we will have to be more self-reliant for our water supply.
ooptimizer, 7 Aug 08, 07:22 AM
I suggest creating a bigger reservoir by connecting Singapore - Pulau Ubin - Pulau Tekong - Singapore. This reservoir should be big enough for all Singaporeans, our 5th national tap.
Procrusteans, 7 Aug 08, 07:36 AM
Do not teach the garmen men whar to do lah! They are the smartest. They will never listen to you lah!
SeenItAll, 7 Aug 08, 07:38 AM
Nah... we should just reclaim every bit of sea all the way to our legally max border.
Sangeba888,7 Aug 08, 08:25 AM
The channel between Changi and Pulau Ubin is the waterway for vessels going to Sembawang Shipyards for repairs. Our imported cars are I believe, unloaded there too. So it is very unlikely that the govt will carry this out which will make the channel between Johor and Pulau Ubin more congested/
mayhem_sci,7 Aug 08, 08:38 AM
Yes and ruin all the marine ecology in the process, including Chek Jawa on the eastern coast of Pulau Ubin.
XIIIblackcat, 7 Aug 08, 09:26 AM
Singapore will looked even more artificial and ugly on the World map.
ErpErpErp, 7 Aug 08, 09:41 AM
Not a new idea lah.
MIWs have discussed this before.
Johor will get more upset lah.
micamonkey, 7 Aug 08, 10:13 AM
i can't believe straits times published this again. we already discussed it before and PUB already replied and we've already talked about what a horribly wrong and non-feasible idea this is and STILL straits times published such a (almost exact replica) letter again!!! unbelievable!
ErpErpErp, 7 Aug 08, 10:16 AM
More than 70 letters a day.
How to decide?
I don't write. I post in this DB. No editing. Why write to ST Forum anymore?
AYB?
varanus_salvator, 7 Aug 08, 10:20 AM
A similar idea was addressed a few months ago. Have people forgotten already?
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_229684.html
The same points and concerns still stand.
Related articles
Is this a forewarning of reservoir in Johor Straits?
comment on this letter on the Pulau Ubin Stories blog
I'm getting a sense of deja vu about this
comment on this letter on the Lazy Lizard's Tales blog
After Marina Barrage, Tekong-Ubin reservoir
Letter from Syu Ying Kwok, Straits Times Forum 18 Apr 08;
Strategy in place on long-term water supply: PUB reply to Tekong-Ubin reservoir
Reply from PUB, Straits Times Forum 22 Apr 08;
What's wrong with an Ubin-Tekong reservoir?
on the Pulau Ubin Stories blog
Tekong-Ubin reservoir not practical
Letter from Ivan Kwan Wei Ming, Straits Times Forum 22 Apr 08;
Dam idea for Tekong-Ubin reservoir
on the wildfilms blog
