City-State Singapore Breaks Ground for First Dual-Mode Desalination Plant

First impression of Singapore's fourth desalination plant (Singapore’s national water agency PUB)

Singapore doesn’t need to hide its light under a bushel when it comes to innovative green technologies. In the past, Singapore has gathered sound experience with desalination plants. The next one, the fourth, is quite different. We now know how the latest desalination plant looks like. Singapore’s national water agency PUB and Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Pte Ltd presented their new design for a dual-mode desalination plant whose ground-breaking ceremony already took place. This variable desalination facility is the first of its kind and able to treat fresh water from the nearby Marina Reservoir as well as saltwater from the ocean.

Singapore’s 4’th Desalination Plant Appears Like a City Park

“Over the years, we have been making investments in desalination plants to bolster our water security. As a source independent of weather, desalinated water is capable of strengthening our water supply resilience, especially against prolonged dry spells and droughts. We aim to triple its capacity to meet up to 30% of our water needs by 2060,” said Mr. Ng Joo Hee, Chief Executive of PUB.

Providing 137,000 cubic meters of fresh drinking water daily

At first glance, it might not appear like a desalination plant. It is largely covered with green plants and looks more like a city park with a river. The green space on the roof of the plant stretches over 20,000 square meters and can actually be used as a public park. Depending on weather conditions, water can be taken from the Marina Reservoir or the sea in order to treat it.

“We are pleased to unveil the design of the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant and mark another first in Singapore. Not only is this the first desalination plant in Singapore capable of treating both seawater and freshwater, the plant’s design also blends seamlessly into the environment, allowing the public to enjoy the green space above the plant along with the surrounding greenery.” Dr. Ong Tiong Guan commented.

Dr. Ong Tiong Guan adds: “By challenging conventional ideas of a desalination plant and re-imagining how an infrastructure facility should look and function, Keppel Infrastructure aims to demonstrate that engineering and design excellence can go hand-in-hand as we push for sustainable urbanization.”