PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency; BEWG Intl. Pte Ltd (BEWGI), a subsidiary of Beijing Enterprises Water Group Limited (BEWG); and UES Holdings Pte Ltd (UESH) opened BEWG-UESH NEWater Plant, Singapore’s fifth NEWater plant and second in Changi.
“This plant is one of the many major pieces of infrastructure that the Singapore Government will be developing in the coming years. In the context of rising uncertainties, such as the drying up of Linggiu Reservoir, and rising costs of production and conveyance, we need to take necessary measures to strengthen water supply and sustainability. I also urge all to continue to use water prudently,” said Masagos Zulkifli, minister for the environment and water resources. Sited on top of Changi Water Reclamation Plant, BEWG-UESH NEWater Plant has a capacity of 50 million gpd. The new plant provides, together with four other existing facilities, enough NEWater capacity to meet up to 40% of Singapore’s total daily water demand.
Ng Joo Hee, PUB’s chief executive, added: “Reuse is a plank of Singapore’s water strategy. In our minds, the H2O molecule is never lost and water is an endlessly reusable resource. Used water can always be reclaimed and retreated so that it can be consumed again. Singapore leads the world in this.
“Water reuse is particularly attractive because it is a drought-resistant source of water. Every Singaporean student is taught the hydrologic cycle and knows how Mother Nature reclaims and recycles water in all its forms. What we do in PUB’s water reclamation and NEWater plants is, in essence, copying nature’s way.” NEWater (ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water) is one of Singapore’s Four National Taps, along with local catchment water, imported water and desalinated water. Together, they provide a robust and diversified water supply for Singapore.
Collaborations with the industry also have played an important role in Singapore’s water journey. Close partnership with the private sector has enabled PUB to explore, pilot and implement new technologies to increase Singapore’s water resources and enhance efficiencies in water production.
“This BEWG-UESH NEWater Plant illustrates very well how PUB, as it builds and operates the infrastructure that secures our country’s water future, also provides opportunity for private industry to collaborate and create with us solutions that help overcome Singapore’s water challenges,” Ng said.
“We are very honored to partner PUB for this NEWater project. This signals Singapore’s status as a global hydrohub boasting a vibrant ecosystem of water companies, technology owners, and research institutes from across the world to champion advances and practices in various water issues,” said Li Yongcheng, board chairman and executive director of BEWG.
“UESH was involved in the building of Changi Water Reclamation Plant back in 2007 and now with BEWG-UESH NEWater Plant, we have come a full circle in our collaboration with PUB. It has been an extremely meaningful journey working with the national water agency and witnessing Singapore’s evolution from a water-challenged island-state to a global leader in innovative water strategies and technologies,” said Johnson Tang, CEO of UESH.
In recognition of its contribution to the advancement of private sector participation in the international water sector, BEWG-UESH NEWater Plant was awarded Water Deal of the Year in 2016 at the Global Water Awards, organized by Global Water Intelligence.
Source: PUB
