17 ABC Waters projects get certification

Sara Grosse Channel NewsAsia 6 Jul 11;

SINGAPORE : Seventeen Active, Beautiful, Clean or ABC Waters projects received their certification on Wednesday.

Eight were private sector projects, a four-fold increase from last year.

The projects showcase sustainable ABC Waters designs which use natural elements to retain and treat rainwater run-off.

Speaking at the 2nd Water Sensitive Urban Landscape Seminar, Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources, Grace Fu, said strong support from the public and private sectors is essential for large scale implementation of ABC Waters design features.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has also been working closely with educational institutions to incorporate ABC Waters designs into their curriculum.

In addition, PUB will be launching a new training programme targeted at professionals so that architects and engineers learn how to use ABC Waters designs in their developments.

- CNA/al

Private sector incorporating more ABC Waters design features
Sara Grosse Today Online 7 Jul 11;

SINGAPORE - Eight private sector projects were among the 17 Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters projects certified yesterday for incorporating environmentally-friendly water management features in their design, marking a four-fold increase in private sector projects that are eco-friendly.

The private sector is recognising the benefits of how their water design features can ensure water sustainability, said the PUB.

City Developments' H2O Residences, the first private development to integrate surrounding water bodies and park spaces, was one of the eight private sector projects that received the ABC Waters certification for their effort.

The private residential area features a rain garden, a bio-pond and a water terrace with wetland plants that functions as a filtering system to ensure that clean water is discharged to the waterways.

The Belysa executive condominium - which is jointly developed by NTUC Choice Homes and CEL Development - was also recognised for incorporating bio-retention valleys to treat rainwater run-off.

Speaking at the 2nd Water Sensitive Urban Landscape Seminar, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu said strong support from the public and private sectors is essential for large-scale implementation of ABC Waters design features.

"By the end of this year, about two-thirds of Singapore's land area will be water catchment," she said. "This continued increase in urbanisation calls for a paradigm shift in the way we manage rainwater. These features, when implemented widely, can also help in our overall drainage management as they slow down the flow of water into our drains and canals."

The PUB has been working closely with educational institutions to incorporate ABC Waters Designs into their curriculum.

Come September, the agency will also launch a new training programme targeted towards professionals so that engineers and architects will learn how to use water designs in their developments.