Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia 23 Oct 08;
SINGAPORE: After three years of construction, the S$230 million Marina Barrage is ready. It dams up Singapore's river mouth, forming a reservoir - the Marina Reservoir - which has a catchment area that is one-sixth the size of Singapore.
Right now, the reservoir contains mainly sea water. But when the monsoon rains come, the sea water will be flushed out through the gates into the sea, making it a freshwater reservoir.
Marina Reservoir will be operational in less than two years. Pipes are also being constructed to take the water to the treatment plants where it will be purified before being pumped to homes.
The barrage's crest gates also help with flood control.
Yap Kheng Guan, Director in charge of Marina Barrage, PUB, said: "The gates actually block the water from going into the Marina Reservoir. That is very important because at times of high tide and heavy rains, many of the low lying areas will be subject to flooding. By blocking the sea water from coming in, we will be eliminating the tidal influence."
The drainage pumps located under a building are capable of draining an Olympic-sized swimming pool in one minute. They will be activated when there is excess water in the reservoir.
The building also boasts Singapore's largest solar field with 405 panels. The solar field helps reduce daytime lighting requirements by half at the building, which contains visitor galleries and food outlets.
So the next time you want to take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront or find out more about how Singapore manages its precious water resources, you could check out the Marina Barrage, which will be opened on November 1. - CNA/vm
Behold the new barrage
It will soon become Singapore’s 15th reservoir
Esther Ng, Today Online 24 Oct 08;
AT $230 million, the Marina Barrage is more than just a water catchment area. In fact, the barrage, which officially opens next week, will serve up three benefits: It alleviates flooding in low-lying areas of the city, acts as a freshwater reservoir to boost Singapore’s water supply and doubles as a lifestyle attraction.
According to the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) 3P Network director Yap Kheng Guan, reservoirs in other countries rarely serve more than one function. “(A reservoir) is either flood control or water catchment. The Marina Barrage could be one of the barrages in the world that offers three benefits,” he said.
Situated next to Gardens In The Bay and the upcoming Marina Sands integrated resort, the Barrage fits into the Government’s masterplan of a premier live-work-play destination.
“I believe the Marina Barrage will become a world-renowned venue for watersports events, just like the recent Wakeboard World Cup,” said Mr Paul Fong, event director for the Singapore Waterski and Wakeboard Federation.
The water level behind the Marina Barrage will remain at a constant level, making it suitable for water sports all year round.
There will also be bars and restaurants at the Barrage.
“I think it’s a good idea that they’ve created more public spaces; this will add to our urban lifestyle,” said Mr Darren Yio, an architect with SCDA. But, he added, we will have to wait until the integrated resorts open their doors to see how these activities will transform the area.
However, Dr Shawn Lum, president of the Nature Society of Singapore feels that while the Barrage is an impressive structure, it may result in Singaporeans “losing our sense of living on an island”.
“Not many people know that Boat Quay had fish and marine snails — marine creatures will all go when seawater is replaced by fresh water and the sea won’t enter our rivers twice a day anymore.”
Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, Marina Barrage is Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. It has the island’s largest catchment, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, stretching from Ang Mo Kio to Alexandra and Paya Lebar.
The PUB plans to pump out seawater in the Barrage and turn it into a freshwater reservoir next year. The target is to make the Barrage a functioning reservoir by 2010 or 2011, supplying water to households.
According to Mr Yap, it costs twice the amount to purify seawater into potable water than freshwater.
And as Singapore’s drainage system channels rain water into its reservoirs, Mr Yap hopes that consumers will be more mindful about what they pour into their drains.
“While we are able to treat every drop of water to high drinking standards, we hope that everyone will learn to appreciate and cherish water, and take ownership of our waters.
“Only when everyone plays their part in preventing careless litter, silt from construction sites and pollution from industries from dirtying our waters, will we all be able to enjoy the waters in the Marina Reservoir, “ Mr Yap said.
Together with two other new reservoirs in Punggol and Serangoon, the Marina Reservoir will increase Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country’s land area.
Designed with green principles, it boasts the largest collection of solar panels — 405 in all — which convert solar energy into utility-grade electricity to supplement the daytime power requirements of the Marina Barrage.
The barrage is open to the public from Nov 1.
