Singapore's display space rises fivefold; new R&D ventures planned
Victoria Vaughan, Straits Times 11 Jun 09;
THE fear of drinking tainted water could be a thing of the past. A system that detects chemical and organic contamination in drinking water is one of 16 technologies on display at Singapore's International Water Week.
The early warning system, developed by Singapore-based Optiqua Technologies, will be showcased at this year's event, themed Sustainable Cities - Infrastructure and Technologies for Water, at Suntec City from June 22 to 26.
Despite the current economic crisis, Water Week - in its second year - has managed to increase Singapore's display space fivefold with more than half the local water-related companies and agencies taking part for the first time.
Mr Michael Toh, managing director of Water Week and deputy director of national water agency PUB, said the response has been encouraging.
'Riding on the success of June 2008, we have also seen a growth in the number of organisations having events during Water Week,' he added.
This includes the signing of a research and development collaboration between Sembcorp Industries, a utilities company, and Nanyang Technological University.
The highlight is the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. And topping the list of attending VIPs is the Prince of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander, who is chairman of the United Nations' Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. He will be addressing delegates on June 23.
With 8,000 to 10,000 guests expected to attend the event, organisers have been working with the National Environment Agency and the Health Ministry to make sure they are prepared for any Influenza A (H1N1) case.
'We are taking the HINI situation very seriously. We are making sure we take the necessary measures to protect, prevent and contain HINI should we have a case. We have to balance it against the inconvenience to the delegates,' said Mr Toh. The organisers will provide bar-coded cards to collect details of those attending the sessions. They will also tag seats to assist in contact tracing if there is a suspected H1N1 case.
Also coinciding with the event is the opening of three new R&D facilities in Singapore, including the Singapore Water Technology Centre established at the National University of Singapore in collaboration with GE Singapore.
The centre will look at low-energy seawater desalination, water reclamation and more efficient water reuse.
Several public events have also been organised in tandem with Water Week. The Marina Barrage will host the Singapore International Water Festival on June 20 and 21 and the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival on June 27 and 28.
