WDA, PUB and SWA Collaborate to Upgrade Skills of Workers in High Technology Water Industry [Press Releases]

Singapore, 8 December 2011 – To develop the capabilities of the water industry workforce, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), national water agency PUB, and the Singapore Water Association (SWA) have collaborated on a new training programme – the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Used Water Treatment Technician Programme – for the water industry.

This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB’s Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system so as to raise the water industry’s competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices. The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle. They are designed to cater to four job levels, namely the Operator, Technician, Supervisor, and Engineer levels. Read more

Singapore to have region’s first floating PV pilot project [News]

By Joyce Hooi, The Business Times, 3 Nov 2011.

In land-scarce Singapore, after building upwards comes building on water. The Economic Development Board (EDB) is going to look at how it can float solar photovoltaic systems in the country’s reservoirs, instead of fitting them conventionally on rooftops.

The $11 million floating photovoltaic (PV) pilot project was announced at the Solar Pioneer Awards yesterday, and is set to be a first for the region.

Tengeh Reservoir has been picked as the site for this 2 megawatt project because its isolated nature means that the floating structure will be less likely to get in the way of intrepid canoeists and fishing hobbyists.

The project will start next year and is expected to be up and running by 2013. Read more

Singapore to set up $11 million floating solar project in reservoir [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 3 Nov 2011.

Singapore will build its first floating solar system – the first of its kind in the region – in the calm waters of the western Tengeh Reservoir.

The innovative project, led by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and national water agency PUB, will cost $11 million and be operational by 2013.

National Environment Agency (NEA) chief executive Andrew Tan announced this yesterday, noting that the pilot project will be studied for the potential of using reservoir water surfaces for these systems to generate electricity.

This is to overcome Singapore’s land constraints: Solar panels need large land mass to generate a large amount of energy. In Singapore, they are usually built on rooftops. Read more

Are porous roads the way to deal with floods in Singapore? [News]

By Esther Ng, Today, 7 Oct 2011.

Porous roads and using basements to store storm water are some ideas being bounced about by an expert panel formed to improve Singapore’s flood protection measures.

Other recommendations include combining predictions on rainfall intensity and trajectory with rain gauges and water level sensors installed in canals, which will result in a real-time flood alert system that would “allow the agencies to give a better lead time to the community”, said Professor Chan Eng Soon, who chairs the panel. He was giving an update yesterday on the panel’s work since it was formed in July.

Among its preliminary recommendations, the panel said: “PUB should move to a process of new generation drainage systems models that can adequately replicate systems performance, evaluate potential interventions and provide flood-risk mapping.” Read more

Go with more ticks to save water [Press Releases]

Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (强制省水标签计划) for washing machines helps consumers make informed choice.

Starting 1 October 2011, washing machines sold in Singapore will carry a mandatory Water Efficiency label. The Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) is part of an ongoing effort by PUB, the national water agency, to encourage people to use water wisely and make water conservation a way of life.

PUB is working with key retailers such as Best Denki, Courts and Harvey Norman to communicate the benefits of buying a water-efficient washing machine to consumers.

All washing machines will carry clear labels showing the water efficiency level. Consumers will find it easy to understand the water efficiency level based on the number of ticks, which ranges from zero to three, reflected in the label. Labels with more ticks mean that consumers can save more water. One-tick products help consumers save 58 litres (about 39 1.5-litre bottles) of water per wash, while two-tick products can save them 73 litres (about 49 1.5-litre bottles) of water and three-tick products can save as much as 80 litres (about 53 1.5-litre bottles) of water. Products with zero-tick labels are not water efficient. Read more

All washing machines must now be labelled [News]

By Feng Zengkun, The Straits Times, 28 Sep 2011.

All washing machines sold in Singapore from Saturday will be labelled according to how much water they use.

The best machines, which can use up to 80 litres less per wash than their less efficient counterparts, will be labelled with three ticks.

Retailers said the scheme, launched by national water agency PUB, would help buyers identify more efficient washing machines. However, these machines can cost up to 50 per cent more than those with fewer or no ticks.

PUB said the scheme would help to reduce water use here. Read more

Quenching Singapore’s thirst [News]

By Elgin Toh, The Straits Times, 3 Sep 2011.

A simple turn of the tap did not guarantee water if you happened to be in Singapore on April 24, 1963.

It was the first day of a water rationing exercise that would last 10 months.

An unusually dry spell both in Singapore and in the Tebrau River area in Johor – a primary water source for the island – caused water stocks to plunge dramatically, leaving the authorities with little choice but to impose restrictions.

For four days a week, depending on which area you lived in, you were either deprived of water between 8am and 2pm or between 2pm and 8pm.

People who did not ordinarily read the newspapers or listen to the radio suddenly found themselves having to scan headlines or turn knobs at least once a week – to stay informed about rationing schedules. Read more

Waterworks handover will not affect S’pore’s water supply: Dr Balakrishnan [News]

By Wayne Chan, Channel NewsAsia, 31 Aug 2011.

The return to Johor of four waterworks would not affect Singapore’s water supply, said Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Speaking after a handover ceremony at Gunong Pulai of the waterworks Wednesday morning witnessed by the Sultan of Johor Ibrahim Iskandar, Dr Balakrishnan said the handover on good terms was symbolic of deepening ties between Singapore and Malaysia.

Gunong Pulai is one of four waterworks under the 1961 water agreement which expires Wednesday. Read more

International Experts Commend Progress of Research & Development in Singapore’s Water Industry [Press Releases]

The International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Singapore’s Environment and Water Technology industry commented on the excellent progress that the Singapore water industry has made in the last five years. The panel held its annual meeting on 8 July 2011, as part of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW).

Singapore is presently home to a flourishing water industry of more than 70 international and local companies, a significant increase from 50 in 2006. Investments made by these companies in the last five years, when fully realised, will contribute S$590 million of annual value-added to the Singapore economy and generate 2,300 professional and skilled jobs. Singapore-based companies have also been doing well in the international water markets, with a cumulative project value reaching S$8.4 billion since 2006. Through various incentive schemes under the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office’s (EWI) Environment and Water Research Programme, there is now a vibrant research community of 23 R&D centres working on more than 60 projects on leading-edge technologies. Read more

17 ABC Waters projects get certification [News]

Eight private sector projects were among 17 recognised on Wednesday for incorporating environmentally-friendly water management features in their design.

This marks a four-fold increase in private sector projects that are eco-friendly.

The projects received the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters certification for their effort.

City Developments’ H2O Residences is the first private development to integrate the surrounding water bodies and park. Read more

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