NEWaterSingapore
■ Outline
PUB understands that dependence on imported water was not something that could be sustained if Singapore continues to grow. We therefore began to explore alternative sources of water, such as recycled water (NEWater) and desalination.
NEWater is major breakthrough in Singapore water sustainability. This high grade reclaimed or recycled water, produced by using advanced reverse osmosis membrane technology, is one of Singapore’s most strategic innovations.
■ Period of Implementation
- The Singapore Water Reclamation Study (NEWater Study) was initiated in 1998 by PUB and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR). The aim of the study was to determine if NEWater was a viable source of raw water for Singapore's needs. Singapore began producing NEWater in 2001 after the study was concluded.
■ Features
- NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water produced from treated used water that is purified further using advanced membrane technologies, making the water ultra-clean and safe to drink.
The first stage of the NEWater production process is known as Microfiltration (MF). In this process, the treated used water is passed through membranes to filter out and retained on the membrane surface suspended solids, colloidal particles, disease-causing bacteria, some viruses and protozoan cysts. The filtered water that goes through the membrane contains only dissolved salts and organic molecules.
- The second stage of the NEWater production process is known as Reverse Osmosis (RO). In RO, a semi-permeable membrane is used. The semi-permeable membrane has very small pores which only allow very small molecules like water molecules to pass through. Consequently, undesirable contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, disinfection by-products, aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides etc, cannot pass through the membrane. Hence, NEWater is RO water and is free from viruses, bacteria and contains negligible amount of salts and organic matters.
- At this stage, the water is already of a high grade water quality. The third stage of the NEWater production process really acts as a further safety back-up to the RO. In this stage, ultraviolet or UV disinfection is used to ensure that all organisms are inactivated and the purity of the product water guaranteed.
With the addition of some alkaline chemicals to restore the acid-alkali or pH balance, the NEWater is now ready to be piped off to its wide range of applications.
In fact, RO is a widely recognised and established technology which has been used extensively in many other areas. This includes the production of bottled drinking water and production of ultra-clean water for the wafer fabrication and electronics industry. RO is also becoming increasingly popular as one of the technologies used in desalination of seawater for human consumption. It is also used to recycle used water to drinking water on space shuttles and on International Space Stations.
■ Outcomes / Achievements
- Because it is ultra clean, NEWater is ideal for industry use, such as wafer fabrication processes. NEWater is supplied to wafer fabrication, electronics and power generation industries for process use as well as commercial and institutional complexes for air-con cooling purposes. This frees up potable water for domestic use.
PUB has been presented with an Award of Excellence from the National Water Research Institute (NWRI), USA, for the NEWater Demonstration Plant project and in recognition of PUB's outstanding contributions to microfiltration technology. The award was presented to PUB on 4 May 2002 at the Microfiltration III Conference held at Costa Mesa, California, USA.
- PUB also clinched the title “Environmental Contribution of the Year” at the Global Water Awards 2008 ceremony. The “Environmental Contribution of the Year” award recognises stewardship in the water industry by way of a project, process or an organization that best reflects the ability of a water or wastewater plant that leaves a small environmental footprint.
These prestigious international award bears testimony to the success of NEWater as a viable and sustainable source of water. In the citation for NEWater, Global Water Intelligence said Singapore is the world leader in the application of recycled water and its NEWater strategy has created the template for all water agencies looking to introduce potable water reuse.
■ Cost
■ Inquiries
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