Singapore's Reservoirs
MacRitchie Reservoir formerly called "Thomson Road Reservoir", constructed 1890-1894 has a storage capacity of 4,200,000 cubic metres
There are a currently 17 reservoirs which are designated as national water catchment areas and are managed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore.
The following is a list of reservoirs in Singapore:
01 - MacRitchie Reservoir (formerly called "Thomson Road Reservoir")
02 - Lower Peirce Reservoir (formerly called "Kallang River Reservoir" & "Peirce Reservoir")
03 - Upper Seletar Reservoir (formerly called "Seletar Reservoir")
05 - Kranji Reservoir
06 - Pandan Reservoir
07 - Murai Reservoir
08 - Poyan Reservoir
09 - Sarimbun Reservoir
10 - Tengeh Reservoir
11 - Jurong Lake
14 - Bedok Reservoir
15 - Marina Reservoir
16 - Punggol Reservoir
17 - Serangoon Reservoir
Long Island to be reclaimed off East Coast could add 800ha of land, create Singapore’s 18th reservoir
Long Island could create Singapore’s 18th reservoir
Three tracts of land could be reclaimed off East Coast Park in the coming decades, creating about 800ha of land for new homes and other amenities, as well as a new reservoir. Called the Long Island, these land tracts – collectively about twice the size of Marina Bay – are Singapore’s response to the threat of rising sea levels and inland flooding in the East Coast area.
Land in the area is largely lower than 5m above the mean sea level, the extent that sea levels are projected to rise to by the end of this century if extreme high tides coincide with storm surges. On Nov 28, National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced that public agencies will carry out technical studies for the Long Island project over five years, starting from early 2024. Over the next few years, members of the public will be consulted for their ideas and suggestions for the project, which will take several decades to plan, design and develop.
The current plan is for three elongated tracts of land to be reclaimed in the area, extending from Marina East to Tanah Merah. The easternmost land tract will start from Tanah Merah, while the westernmost tract will be an extension of Marina East. Between these two tracts, a third tract will be reclaimed. A large tidal gate and pumping station will be built in between each new land mass. These will control the water level in a new reservoir bordered by East Coast Park and the new land masses, and, in the process, reduce flood risks in the East Coast area.
Singapore's four sources of water
The MacRitchie Reservoir is a popular destination for those who seek peace and quiet. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Singapore has four sources of water:
- Local catchment water involves collecting rainwater on a large scale. With the addition of the Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs in 2011, Singapore now has a catchment area that spans two-thirds of the land surface. A catchment refers to the area from which rainfall flows into a reservoir, through a network of drains, canals, rivers and stormwater collection ponds.
- Singapore has been importing water from Johor under two bilateral agreements, the first signed in October 1961 and expired in August 2011. Under the second agreement signed in September 1962, Singapore will receive a maximum of 250 million gallons of water a day from the Johor River until 2061.
- Newater is high-grade reclaimed water that undergoes many rounds of treatment with advanced membrane technologies and ultra-violet disinfection until it is potable. PUB has been pumping an average of 16 mgd of Newater a day for the month of March to local reservoirs, to ensure that Singapore's water needs are met, even in the case of a water disruption.
- Desalinated water uses reverse-osmosis to treat the water at two desalination plants. The SingSpring Desalination Plant and Tuaspring Desalination Plant can meet up to a quarter of Singapore's current water demand.
‘Water for Peace’ - World Water Day 2024 campaign launches
World Water Day is held annually on 22 March
The campaign for World Water Day, 22 March 2024, is now live. This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all their shared water. As climate change impacts increase, and the global population grows, we must unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource. By working together to balance everyone’s human rights and needs, water can be a stabilizing force and a catalyst for sustainable development.
World Water Day is a United Nations (UN) observance coordinated by UN-Water. Every year, it raises awareness of a major water-related issue and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. This year’s Task Force of UN-Water Members and Partners is coordinated by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
