Marina Barrage to increase water supply and control flooding
Liaw Wy-Cin, Straits Times 1 Nov 08;
A DREAM 20 years in the making unfolds today with the opening of the Marina Barrage to the public.
This dam has created Marina Reservoir, the 15th reservoir here and the first one in the heart of the city - the most densely built-up part of the island.
This reservoir and two other new ones will raise the portion of the country's land area used for water catchment from half to two-thirds.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who officially opened the facility at sundown yesterday, hailed it as an engineering feat.
He also noted that, increasing the nation's water supply aside, the barrage will also control floods and become a key venue for activities by and on the water.
The idea of damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater lake came from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in 1987, when he was prime minister. That was the year the massive clean-up of the Singapore River was completed, and fish had returned to it.
Building the barrage was the next challenge he gave the nation.
With its opening, it will control flooding in the low-lying areas of Chinatown, Boat Quay and Jalan Besar.
And as it will ensure a constant water level in the reservoir, the barrage will be ideal for water sports and activities, which are fast becoming popular here.
Those who intend to stay dry may visit its food and beverage outlets, have picnics on its grassy rooftop or catch an exhibition on the pro-environment developments here.
Singapore's largest solar park, at 1,200 sq m or about a third the size of a football field, is also there - with 405 solar panels generating 'green' power for the facility.
The nearby park, christened Gardens by the Bay, will also be a magnet for visitors.
The barrage and park, together with the Marina Sands integrated resort and the new Marina downtown area, 'will add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city', said Mr Lee.
Ensuring an adequate and secure supply of water has long been a national priority.
'Through the concerted efforts and ingenuity of government agencies, and the full support and cooperation of the population, we have become more self-sufficient in water, and can become completely self-sufficient should we need to. We have also turned our vulnerability into a capability,' he said.
The country is now known for its expertise in water management; its water engineering companies have bagged contracts to build water facilities the world over, he told his audience of 4,000 government officials, industry players and ordinary Singaporeans.
He said: 'Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces. Singaporeans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is.'
Yesterday, he also launched the year-long Clean And Green Singapore drive, which will promote recycling, cycling, tree planting and nature treks.
But Mr Lee also had a reminder for Singaporeans to be custodians of the cleanliness of their public spaces.
He said: 'It is certainly possible for people to litter at will and to deploy an army of cleaners to clean up after us.
'But this is neither desirable nor sustainable. Instead, every citizen must feel responsible for our estates, parks and other public places, to take care of them and not litter or damage them.'
THE Marina Barrage serves more than just to create a reservoir.
# It also controls flooding in low-lying areas such as Chinatown, Boat Quay and Jalan Besar.
# It is expected to draw in the crowds for leisure activities. Apart from water activities, there are also food and beverage outlets, rooftop grassy areas for picnics and an exhibition gallery.
# Singapore's largest solar park covering 1,200 sq m, about a third the size of a football field, is also sited there.
Singapore realises 20-year dream with its first reservoir in the city
Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia 31 Oct 08;
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore has become more self-sufficient in water and the country's effective water management has turned a vulnerability into a capability.
Mr Lee was speaking at the opening of Singapore's 15th reservoir, with the completion of the Marina Barrage, on Friday.
Today, he said Singapore is not only known for its water expertise, but also its beautiful environment.
When seen from above, the sprawling reservoir in the city is Singapore's very own "water piazza".
It was a culmination of a vision Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had some 20 years ago, which was to dam up the Marina Channel and create a freshwater lake.
At the launch of the project, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said ensuring Singapore has an adequate and secure water supply is an example of how the country has achieved strong economic growth while protecting the environment.
Mr Lee said: "Effective water management is just one example of how Singapore has achieved strong economic growth while protecting and even enhancing the environment. Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces.
"Singaporeans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, you will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is."
Mr Lee, who also launched this year's Clean and Green programme at the event, encouraged Singaporeans to be inspired by the award winning individuals in creating a green and sustainable environment.
For the first time, the Clean and Green Singapore Awards were given out to six community groups. Six individuals were also recognised in the inaugural Community-in-Bloom Ambassador Awards for their promotion of gardening.
The Marina Barrage is also designed to prevent flooding in the low-lying areas of the city.
The prime minister also toured the Clean and Green carnival. The event at the latest lifestyle attraction runs till Sunday. - CNA/vm
From creative vision to reality
Marina Barrage will help boost water supply & alleviate flooding
Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 2 Nov 08;
STARTING today, you can enjoy this magnificent view of the Singapore skyline and colourful fountains at the newly opened Marina Barrage.
The barrage takes on a whole new persona when night falls. Families can have a picnic there, then enjoy the view. Its stylish curves and romantic lights also make it an ideal place to bring your special someone.
Yesterday, national water agency PUB unveiled the Marina Barrage which creates the Marina Reservoir, Singapore's first reservoir in the city.
Built at a cost of $226 million, the iconic barrage boosts Singapore's water supply, alleviates flooding in the low-lying city areas and is set to become a hot spot for recreational activities.
At the opening ceremony attended by over 4,000 people, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: 'What you see here today is the culmination of creative, visionary thinking as well as decades of planning and hard work.'
First, the Singapore River had to be cleaned up, a 'massive task' spanning 10 years where farms, squatters and polluting industries were resettled.
'With the strong commitment of the Government, by 1987 the river was clean enough for fish to return. In the same year, then-PM Lee issued another challenge - to dam up the mouth of the Marina channel to create a freshwater lake and this we have done today,' he said.
PUB's chief executive Khoo Teng Chye said: 'We are really excited about the Marina Barrage's completion as it exemplifies PUB's holistic approach in water management. The three benefits it brings will transform the waterscape of Singapore and be something all Singaporeans can enjoy and be a part of.'
The barrage creates Singapore's 15th reservoir.
With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island's largest and most densely built catchment.
Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will increase Singapore's water catchment from half to two-third's of the country's land area.
Besides being an engineering marvel, the water body behind the barrage will remain at a constant level, making it suitable for water sports all year round.
The Marina Barrage is designed and built on green principles. Its iconic green roof serves as an insulation layer to lower indoor temperature, thereby reducing the building's air-conditioning requirements.
It also boasts the largest solar installation in Singapore - 405 panels in total which convert solar energy into electricity to supplement the daytime power requirements of the Marina Barrage.
The Sustainable Singapore Gallery housed within the Marina Barrage aims to educate the public on important environmental and water issues through interactive multi-media displays, exhibits and games.
Mr Francis Goo, assistant director of Simei Care Centre, is his 40s, who was at the barrage opening, described it as 'really grand'.
He said: 'The design of the place is quite cool and it has a great atmosphere.'
Over this weekend, the Clean and Green Singapore Carnival will be held at the Marina Barrage. Also, the much-awaited The New Paper Big Walk will see 20,000 participants walk from Suntec City to the barrage tomorrow.
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