Nearly $100m to be spent on R&D of water solutions for towns and industries

Tengah reservoir completion example of how S’pore invests in water infrastructure: Gan

- Ang Qing

Close to $100 million will be channelled into the research and development of water solutions for towns and industries, including setting up a research facility for used water treatment.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed this on June 16 at the opening of Singapore International Water Week, where he also announced that the Republic’s latest service reservoir in Tengah had been completed, even before the town itself was fully developed.

The 11th edition of the mega water solutions event brings together some 2,000 delegates, including 700 global leaders and 500 exhibiting firms.

Stressing how water challenges are by no means theoretical in Singapore, Gan said that climate change would bring more dry and wet extremes, while in the longer term - if nothing is done - nearly a third of Singapore would be at risk of coastal flooding as sea levels rise.

At the same time, the economy would need increasing amounts of water to feed water-intensive industries.

“So, we must act with urgency. But we must also plan with foresight,” he said.

Singapore’s approach to water challenges has been through long-term investment, harnessing innovation and international cooperation.

Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 plan, $85 million will be awarded to national water agency PUB to strengthen Singapore’s water security and sustainability, by advancing R&D in areas such as desalination and the management of contaminants of emerging concern.

“Our aim is not only to meet Singapore’s own needs. We also want to develop solutions that can be applied in cities and industries around the world,” said Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry.