Alternative Water Sources (Transpiration of Trees)

Have you ever wondered what happened if you tie a plastic bag and tie it around a leafy tree branch or shurb? You would have seen droplets of water forming on the interior of the plastic bag. Where does the water comes from? It is from the plant itself! The plant tranpires to take in more water from the soil. We propose to use plants to obtain water. The plants could be placed in parks. Weighs can be used to allow water to collect at the low point. The water will taste like whatever plant is used. It's also important to use non-poisonous vegetation. The only setback of the plan is that the water obtained would be limited. Collecting water through this technique might decrease cloud formation, as transpiration does not contribute to the water cycle, instead the water obtained through transpiration is used by us. We know that this idea may not work, but it is only a fictitious idea. Still, this idea can be considered. It might even be improved and be used in the future.

Alternative Water Sources (Water Cone On The Roof)

Look at this theme park water slide!! I was thinking of this brilliant idea. Remember the water cone we introduced earlier? We can actually modify this to mount onto HDB rooftops.I realised that there are actually alot of free space on top of the rooftops.This should work well in Singapore's super-hot and humid weather. With the thought of condensation, it works even better as during the day, sunlight is directly on the rooftops. It works in the rain too!!!(because it collects rain like a bowl). It needs only a water purification tool so that the water is safe to drink. And it will increase the supply of water like mad(think of how many high rise buildings are there in Singapore). Also, it is low maintenance, probably only a wash every few months. Also, due to how easy it works, it's components are also as cheap too!!! It can be done easily with mass-production viable (due to cheap components). However, this is only a fictitious idea from us but we believe this is never impossible to accomplish. Imagine that this could be one of our most important water supply in the future. So pray (just kidding) that our idea is approved of. The whole idea is to use science that we have learned so that it is easier to understand and to produce....hmm we wonder if it can provide all the water for our school...

The WaterHub

Paving the way for a thriving, vibrant water industry and greater ownership of our strategic water resources, more than 200 like-minded individuals joined Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 10 Dec 2004 to celebrate the launch of WaterHub, Singapore Water Association (SWA) and Water Network.

WaterHub, Singapore Water Association and Water Network are important elements in our journey towards maintaining a sustainable water supply for all. Much more than just a training centre, WaterHub crystallizes the key elements of Technology, Learning and Networking under one roof, for the water industry.
The Singapore Water Association plays a vital role in the development of a vibrant water industry. Through its vast networks and connections, SWA provides an excellent platform for member companies to establish partnership with different segments of the local water value chain. The aim is to facilitate and enhance collaborative efforts of these partners so as to promote the capabilities of Singapore’s water industry.

Alternate Water Sources (Aerobic Pre-treatment)

The Aerobic Pre-treatment is suitable for showers, hand-washing and laundry. This treatment is used to remove large particles and fibers. It protects the subsequent infiltration pipes from clogging and transferring the water as soon as possible for treatment into a biologically active, aerobic soil-zone environment where both macro- and microorganisms can thrive. Stretch-filters are made to retain fibers and large particles and allow the rest of the organic material to travel on to the next stage of processing. This filter is suitable for public facilities where the principal source of greywater is hand-washing and showers without any food waste to speak of. If this type of filter is used to remove food wastes, these will accumulate in the filter which then becomes anaerobic and makes the effluent malodorous. The result is often that too frequent changes of the stretch-filter becomes necessary, thus creating an undesirable,high-maintenance situation. Water obtained from this treatment can be used for planter irrigation.

Alternative Water Sources (Water Cone)

Look at this cool water device!!! When you evaporate and condense water, the condensed water is 100% pure water. This means the purified water is completely safe to drink, as nasty chemicals and bugs do not evaporate with the water.This ingenious water device is the WaterCone simple gadget that purifies water by the process of evaporation. Water is poured on to the black tray. As water evaporates, it condenses on the inside of the clear plastic cone. The condensed water then runs down the sides of the cone into the outer tray. When the outer tray is full, you then drain it into your water bottle anywhere!!!!The Water Cone can hold up to 1.7 litres of dirty water at a time, and it only takes a few hours for the water to be condensed. Since condensation is free, we can use it in Singapore due to our HOT sun. Application can be on our high rise buildings (with a bigger one of course) such as offices and HDB flats. It can be used to drink, cool down buildings through cooling vents and also lower the water usage from reservoirs. Imagine if such a device can replace our water coolers..hmmm

Alternate Water Sources (Condensate from Air Conditioners)

Condensate from air conditioners is an abundant source of clean water that irrigators can turn to during the hot summer months when they need it most, according to a technical paper to be presented at the 25th International Irrigation Show. One shopping mall in America collects 500 gallons of clean water an hour from air conditioner condensate to use in a cooling tower, but that water could also be diverted for irrigation. A city library collects condensate from its air conditioners and uses it to irrigate the landscape.Since this is particularly useful in countries that are extremely humid, it suits Singapore very well too!!!

Alternate Water Sources (Aquifer Storage and Recovery [ASR])

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is the process of injecting water from the surface into a suitable underground aquifer for storage and re-supply. One of the advantages of ASR is that it can be used to store large volumes of water from wet periods (e.g. storm events) which can be stored with very little evaporation and can then be used at another time of the year when water is scarce. It is a suitable technology for urban environments where surface storage is limited, and demand is seasonal. ASR is likely to become a more common alternative source water supply in future.

Singapore's Current Water Supplies (NEWater)

Lets talk about NEWater. I heard that Singaporeans do not like it as it does not taste nice. However, do you know about the hard work behind this ubiquitous water? LET me tell you.The Singapore Water Reclamation Study (NEWater Study) was initiated in 1998 as a joint initiative between the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR). The primary objective of the joint initiative was to determine the suitability of using NEWater as a source of raw water to supplement Singapore's water supply. NEWater is treated used water that has undergone stringent purification and treatment process using advanced dual-membrane (microfiltration and reverse osmosis) and ultraviolet technologies. NEWater could be mixed and blended with reservoir water and then undergo conventional water treatment to produce drinking water (a procedure known as Planned Indirect Potable Use or Planned IPU).In 2001, PUB embarked on a new initiatives to increase water supply from unconventional sources for non-potable use. The use of NEWater for wafer fabrication processes, non-potable applications in manufacturing processes as well as air-con cooling towers in commercial buildings would free large amount of potable water for other potable purposes.The NEWater Factories at Bedok and Kranji Water Reclamation Plants was commissioned at the end of 2002. Following that since Feb 2003, NEWater has been supplied to wafer fabrication plants at Woodlands and Tampines/Pasir Ris and other industries for non-potable use. In Jan 2004, another milestone in the NEWater initiative was accomplished with the commissioning of the third NEWater Factory at Seletar Water Reclamation Plant which began supplying NEWater to the wafer fabrication plants at Ang Mo Kio. The total capacity of the 3 NEWater factories is 92,000 m3/day or 20 mgd.

Singapore's Current Water Supplies (Marina Barrage)

Hi Guys! Today we will be talking about our first reservoir in the heart of the city: The Marina Barrage. The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350-meter wide Marina Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore’s first reservoir in the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore’s water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore’s land areas.As the water in the Marina Basin is unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragon- boating etc.

Alternate Water Sources (Cloud Seeding)

The "warm rain" process, a type of cloud seeding usually involves clouds in tropical regions that never reach the freezing point. In these clouds, raindrops form around a "hygroscopic nuclei", a particle that attracts water such as salt or dust. Small droplets collide and coalesce until they form a drop large enough to fall. To encourage the "warm rain" process, calcium chloride is usually used to provide the nucleus for raindrop formation. The aircraft is flown above the clouds, then the aircraft drops the calcium chloride into the clouds.
The combination of cloud seeding, rooftop catchments and local water catchments can increase the overall amount of rainfall collected.

Alternative Water Sources (Rooftop Catchment)

Rooftop catchments collect rainwater in simple vessels at the edge of the roof. Variations on this basic approach include collection of rainwater in gutters which drain to the collection vessel through down-pipes constructed for this purpose, and/or the diversion of rainwater from the gutters to containers for settling particulates before being conveyed to the storage container for the domestic use. As the rooftop is the main catchment area, the amount and quality of rainwater collected depends on the area and type of roofing material. Roof catchments should also be cleaned regularly to remove dust, leaves and bird droppings so as to maintain the quality of the product water.There are some areas in Singapore which may already have rooftop catchments, but we want at least the majority, if not all buildings in Singapore, to have rooftop catchments.

Singapore's Current Water Supplies (Desalinated Water)

The SingSpring desalination plant was PUB’s first public-private partnership project. This plant can produce 30 million gallons or 136, 000 cubic meters of water a day and is one of the region’s largest seawater reverse-osmosis plants.
Desalinated water is the result of PUB's continued investments in water technologies and research. Recent advancements in technology and cheaper membrane prices have made desalinated water another viable source of water supply for Singapore.
At the SingSpring plant, sea water goes through a pre-treatment process where suspended particles are removed. In the second stage, the water undergoes reverse osmosis. The water produced is very pure and is remineralised in the third stage. After treatment, desalinated water is blended with treated water before it is supplied to homes and industries in the western part of Singapore.

Singapore's Current Water Supplies (Imported Water)

Singapore has been importing water from Johor, Malaysia, under two bilateral agreements. This will expire in 2011 and 2061. The water is transported from Malyasia to Singapore across the Tuas Causeway.

Singapore's Current Water Supplies (Local Water Catchment)

Singapore has a network of drains, canals and rivers which channels rain water to the reserviors.

Marina Reservoir, the first reservoir in the city, is formed by building the Marina Barrage across the Marina Channel. The Marina Reservoir will have the largest and most urbanized catchment at one-sixth of Singapore. Local water catchment area will be increased to two-thirds by 2011 when Marina, Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs are completed.

Here is a list of reservoirs in Singapore: Pandan Reservoir, Kranji Reservoir, Jurong Lake Reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir , Upp Pierce Reservoir, Lower Pierce Reservoir, Bedok Reservoir, Upp Seletar Reservoir, Lower Seletar Reservoir, Marina Reservoir, Future Pungol Reservoir and Future Serangoon Reservoir.