Singapore’s experience in water research and technology
25/01/2023 21:52
Singapore’s experience in water research and technology
25/01/2023 21:52
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the recent state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Singapore, a wide range of issues of deepening practical cooperation in the trade, economic, investment and innovation sectors, as well as using the best practices of this country in various fields were considered.
Among the important priority areas of bilateral coopration were the attraction of advanced "green" technologies and digital solutions, the improvement of urban infrastructure and communications. Long-term agreements have been reached on cooperation in the field of urban planning and construction, landscaping, and public utilities.
As you know, Singapore is one of the most developed centers of the Asian continent, which is a leader in the introduction of the latest technologies. Of great interest to Uzbekistan is the vast experience of this country in the field of water supply for the population, and this despite the fact that there are practically no natural water resources in Singapore.
According to authoritative experts, Singapore’s water strategy can be considered as the most optimal in the world - water consumption per day here is 1.9 million m3.
One of the important factors in Singapore’s desire for the most rational use of water resources is its dependence in this regard on neighboring Malaysia.
Today, in this country, an efficient water supply system for the urban population called "Four taps" is successfully operating.
The so-called “First Faucet” envisages local catchment, the second for receiving water from Malaysia, the third for recycling wastewater and the fourth for seawater desalination.
The water specialists of our country may be interested in the experience of building new water supply systems that involve the construction of dams at river mouths. For example, in Singapore in 1975, a program was completed to block the mouth of the Kranji River and build a reservoir in Pandan. In the same year, construction of the Upper Pierce Reservoir was completed. As part of the Western Drainage Basin (1981), four more rivers were dammed.
Given that Singapore receives an average of 2,400 mm of precipitation per year, which is much higher than the world average of 1,050 mm, it uses the technology of accumulating rainwater in reservoirs.
Singapore has also established efficient use of already used water. A purpose-built municipal wastewater treatment board uses NeWater’s unique technology. At the moment, the capacity of the treatment plants used by public utilities makes it possible to provide 30% of the daily water supply rate (520 thousand m3 per day). As a rule, after processing, water goes to manufacturing and industrial enterprises, and the rest is sent to one of the 17 large reservoirs.
The process of water regeneration takes place in three stages. First, cleaning is carried out using a membrane filter from small particles (garbage and bacteria), then reverse osmosis, and only after that - disinfection of water using ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide.
According to studies, water purified using NEWater technology fully complies with WHO requirements and is even suitable for cooking and drinking.
As a result of comprehensive reforms in the water industry, Singapore receives 30% of its needs through the activities of the NEWater program, seawater desalination provides another 20%, local watersheds provide another 10%, and only the remaining 40% comes from Malaysia.
By 2060, the country’s water supply companies predict they will double the amount of desalinated water with two new plants and triple the capacity of the NEWater plants to be ready for 80% supply.
Such successes have been achieved thanks to the creation of large domestic and international research centers.
In 2006, the Singapore government identified water as a new growth sector and committed to investing US$246 million to make the country a global hub for water research and development.
In addition, in 2008 the School of Public Policy. Lee Kuan Yew established the Water Policy Institute at the National University of Singapore. The key event for the global water industry is currently the Singapore International Water Week, held since 2008.
Today, there are more than 70 local and international water companies in Singapore and 23 research and development centers that work on hundreds of projects in this area.
Singapore’s comprehensive government approach, which includes sectoral reforms, legal framework, water pricing, public education, and research and development in this area, has allowed the country not only to solve the pressing issues of water supply, but also to become a global center for water research and technology.
N.Khasanov
Chief Research Fellow, IICA
23/04/2024Read more
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