Marina BarrageSingapore
■ Overview
- The completion of the Marina Barrage in 2008 marks an important milestone in the Singapore water story. Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore's 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina Reservoir has the island's largest and most urbanised catchment. A fine example of integrating engineering with nature, the Marina Barrage is an innovative, solution that has brought about three benefits: a new source of water supply, flood prevention and a new recreational venue.
■ Period of Implementation
■ Features
- Water Supply
The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350-metre wide Marina Channel to keep out seawater. With the barrage in place, the Marina Basin has turned into a body of freshwater through natural displacement by rainwater. The freshwater is treated using advanced membrane technology to make it safe for drinking.
Together with Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir has increased Singapore's water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land area since 2011. As part of one of the pillars of local water supply, the Marina Reservoir can meet about 10% of Singapore's current water demand.
- Flood Control
The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas in the city.
During heavy rain, when the tide is low, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be lowered to release excess storm water from the reservoir into the sea. But when the tide is high, the crest gates will remain closed and the giant pumps, which can each drain an Olympic-size swimming pool in a minute, will be activated to pump excess storm water out to the sea.
- Lifestyle Attraction
Free from tidal influence, the water level in the Marina Reservoir is kept constant all year round. This makes it an ideal venue for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, kayaking and dragon boating. From kite flying, picnics to wedding celebrations, the Marina Barrage has become a popular venue for social and recreational activities.
Within the Marina Barrage, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery is an information and sensory extravaganza showcasing Singapore's efforts towards environmental sustainability. The public can explore six galleries, each sharing a unique aspect of Singapore's sustainable story. Uncover, through fun interactive and innovative multimedia, how a small country with limited resources meets the needs of a fast developing community in an environmentally-friendly manner.
- Environmental Sustainability
Marina Barrage is a showpiece of environmental sustainability, and won the Green Mark Platinum Infrastructure Award, the top award at the BCA Awards organised by the Building and Construction Authority in May 2009.
- Green principles were applied in all aspects of the design, construction and operation of the barrage, to utilise energy and water efficiently and to minimise waste generated. For example, the iconic Green Roof uses 100% recycled plastics and eco-friendly drainage cells. This large rooftop garden also provides natural heat insulation for the building. The grass and the soil shields the building from the sun and reduces maximum surface temperature by 19?C. The Solar Park, one of the largest collections of solar panels in Singapore, generate about 50% of the daytime electricity needed for indoor lighting and power points at the barrage.
■ Outcomes / Achievements
- The Marina Barrage has won numerous International and local awards recognising it's technological innovation, architectual design as well as eco-friendly features. Some of the awards are:
- 1) Building and Construction Authority Universal Design Award for Outdoor Spaces & Structures 2011
- 2) International Water Association's Global Project Innovation Award in Design 2010
- 3) International Water Association's Asia Pacific Region Project Innovation Award in Design 2010
- 4) Green Mark Platinum Infrastructure Award, the top award at the Building and Construction Authority Awards 2009
- 5) "Superior Achievement Award", the top award at the American Academy of Environmental Engineers Excellence in Environmental Engineering Competition 2009
- 6) "Grand Conceptor" award, the top award of American Council of Engineering Companies' Engineering Excellence Awards Competition 2009 for the State of Massachusetts
- 7) ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award 2007
- 8) IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2007
■ Cost
■ Inquiries
- Corporate Development Department, PUB, Singapore
(Tel) +65 62358888 or +65 67313715
(Mail Address) pubone@singnet.com.sg or
sio_wei_hurng@pub.gov.sg
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