Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia 16 Apr 09;
SINGAPORE: Singapore's largest water reclamation plant in Changi will open on June 22 during the International Water Week.
The project, which costs S$3.65 billion, will be a showcase of Singapore's water technologies to over 8,000 delegates who are expected to attend the event.
Once the water reclamation plant is fully functional, it will process 800,000 cubic metres of the 1.3 million cubic metres of water flowing through Singapore's underground pipes every day.
That is equivalent to the volume of water in 4,617 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Treated water will be discharged into the ocean or channelled to the NEWater factory, which is on the rooftop of the reclamation plant.
The NEWater factory turns sewage into potable water and 30 per cent of Singapore's water needs will be met by NEWater next year.
There are currently four NEWater plants in Singapore and five water reclamation plants. There are plans to build another major water reclamation plant in Tuas in southwest Singapore.
Michael Toh, deputy director, Industry Development, PUB & MD of Singapore International Water Week, said: "The Changi water reclamation plant is also a showcase of Singapore's water industry. The numerous companies that are involved in the construction, development and completion of the project have now used it as their reference project in their bid to move overseas."
The Singapore International Water Week will see ministers from 19 countries discuss water management strategies. It will also be a platform for water technology trade – a market that has been resilient to the global economic slowdown.
Ninety per cent of the exhibition space at the International Water Week has already been sold.
Last year, over 8,500 participants from 79 countries attended the event and inked about S$370 million worth of deals. Organisers expect an even bigger turnout this year.
By 2015, Singapore's water sector is expected to be worth S$1.7 billion, employing some 11,000 people.
- CNA/so
Water Week to draw 10,000 delegates
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 17 Apr 09;
CLOSE to 10,000 delegates from 20 countries such as Australia, China and the United Arab Emirates will meet here in June to seek solutions to the world's water needs.
This is the second year that the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), a global showcase for policymakers, industry leaders and experts, is being staged.
More than 140 companies have taken up 90per cent of the exhibition space at Suntec Singapore for the five-day event, which starts on June 22.
Of these, more than 50 home-grown companies will display their latest water innovations and solutions. Half will be participating for the first time.
PUB chief executive Khoo Teng Chye said: 'With the current economic climate, the search for sustainable and cost-effective water management solutions is ever more urgent.
'The Water Week will enable policymakers, industry players and experts to tap on a global reservoir of perspectives and economically viable solutions.'
This comes as the new administration in the United States turns its focus to environmental technologies as one of the drivers of growth in the future.
The meeting will also showcase Singapore's infrastructure and technology development. One highlight will be the official opening of Singapore's biggest water reclamation plant in Changi by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on June 23.
The $3.65 billion project, sitting on 32ha of reclaimed land, will treat 800,000 cu m of used water daily, either to be discharged into the sea or used to produce purified Newater, in a plant on the same location.
Mr Yong Wei Hin, assistant director of Water Reclamation Plants at PUB, said the facility could be expanded to three times its present capacity to meet Singapore's water needs.
Newater is projected to meet 30 per cent of Singapore's water demands - which currently stand at 300 million gallons consumed per day - by next year.
At present, it meets 15 per cent of the country's water needs.
Visiting delegates will also get to tour the Marina Barrage - Singapore's largest water catchment area located in the heart of the city - an urban solution the state has adopted to address challenges to its water supply.
Mr Michael Toh, managing director of the SIWW, said: 'The search for water solutions remains paramount, particularly with the growth of populations in the Asia-Pacific region.
'Technology can be replicated, and our water companies are able to export their expertise and knowledge to countries looking for water solutions.'
Last year, governments, utility providers and water companies inked over $367 million in deals during the inaugural Water Week, which saw more than 8,500 delegates from 79 countries taking part.
Water Week set to make a splash
Michelle Yeo, Business Times 17 Apr 09;
CLOSE to 90 per cent of the 12,000 sq m of the Water Expo exhibition space has been sold to date, to more than 140 companies from about 20 countries.
So, it's little wonder that the organisers of Singapore International Water Week 2009 (SIWW) expect to make a splash despite the economic downturn.
Coming up in June, the SIWW, which was inaugurated in 2008, has been expanded with a key focus on infrastructure and technologies.
In line with this theme, the 7th Ministers' Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia-Pacific Region, the International Water Association's 6th Leading-Edge Technology (LET) Conference, and the official opening of the Changi Water Reclamation Plant (CWRP) will be held during Water Week.
The key highlight is the opening of the CWRP, Singapore's largest and most advanced water reclamation plant that ensures the sustainability of NEWater with its state-of-the-art water treatment facility.
Infrastructure and water ministers from 19 member countries will be invited to the ministers' forum, including Canada, Australia, China and Thailand.
PUB CEO and executive director of the environment and water industry development council Khoo Teng Chye said: 'Infrastructure and technology development will be vital, not only to maximise engineering efficiency and investment returns, but also to create jobs.'
SIWW is the global platform for water solutions. It will bring together industry leaders and specialists to address challenges and discover opportunities in the water world.
As part of the strong take-up of exhibition space, the Singapore pavilion has been expanded four-fold to 800 sq m this year.
It will showcase the capabilities of over 50 local and Singapore-based water companies, half of which are first-time participants.
In addition, two new regions, North America and North Africa, will be added to the business forums.
