Water innovation in Singapore: a model for the world and water cycle

A piece of water history and water leadership

Singapore's water story is exciting, inspiring and innovative. Singapore is a relatively young country (founded in 1965) and has lacked its own water supply since its inception. What is inspiring about this is that Singapore's first president Lee Kuan Yew has always put water at number one in Singapore's continued development. Water is in all policy documents, in the education curriculum, you read about it in the city and any taxi driver can explain to you how circular Singapore is with regard to wastewater reuse. They even brew beer (NewBrew) from it. A great example of public leadership.

Working together on a complete water, waste and energy cycle

Singapore and Amsterdam have found each other as ‘like-minded’ (similar) circular knowledge partners and worked together on wastewater reuse, circular design and drinking water. As an example: Singapore was impressed by the cooperation between Waternet and the AfvalEnergieBedrijf in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, the concept is also being built in Singapore, only four times larger. This formed the basis for intensified cooperation on circular economy, ratified in 2018 in the presence of King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and the president of Singapore. This cooperation is still ongoing! In addition, the dates of the Amsterdam International Water Week (AIWW) and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) have been aligned to build on each other's knowledge and expertise.

One water system

Frodo has lived (and worked) in Singapore for many years, making him the perfect guide for Koen Maathuis and Sander Mager in building relationships with Singapore (read the world), but also always with the Dutch water sector. It is important to stay in touch and in dialogue with our longer-term strategic partners, now that unfortunately so much negative news is being communicated about Waternet. This raises many questions, which unfortunately cannot be answered so easily. Especially with the challenges of the future (including climate change), it is important to opt for an integrated approach and cooperation. On the main stage, despite everything, Waternet is still cited as an example as a frontrunner with a circular vision of the water system.

Waternet presents sustainability programmes to Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) organised a training for six Asian water organisations. Our (World Waternet) WOP partner Luang Nahm Tha from Loas also attended. Here, Waternet presented its sustainability programmes and talked about the impact of technological developments on our work. Gert Medema (KWR professor) received the highest Singapore water award. We are proud of this! The programme was further very practical and substantive with many working visits to Chiangi - wastewater treatment and Marina Barrage, a water barrier and Hybrid Desalination purification (a process that removes mineral components from salt water), among others. In addition, Sander, Koen and Frodo gave presentations and led workshops. When asked what they learnt and what they would like to share with you.

Importance of working together in the water cycle - Sander

During the Singapore International Water Week, it once again became clear how important collaboration in the water cycle is to properly address the water challenges of today and tomorrow. Rainwater, surface water, sewage, drinking water, are very explicitly linked in Singapore. Because every drop counts. But the broader issues of climate neutrality, energy transition and circularity also benefit from a water cycle approach. On behalf of the Union, I gave a presentation on the ambitions of the water boards to become climate-neutral, the role of sewage treatment plants in this, and how we might be able to contribute to the hydrogen economy by doing so. At the South-East Asia Netherlands Watertech Forum, I called attention to system innovations alongside technical innovations on the panel. Our answer to the water safety challenge is no longer just a dike, but also lies in spatial planning based on ‘water and soil management’. Our answer to sufficient water is no longer just a pumping station, but also lies in restoring the sponge effect in town and country. And our answer to clean water is no longer just an even better treatment plant, but lies in a much sharper source policy. That means the water cycle also requires real commitment from other authorities and stakeholders.

Upgrading effluent to industrial water - Koen

Waternet is developing an alternative source for industrial water to continue providing industrial water customers in the Amsterdam port with good and reliable industrial water in the future. With increasing drought and rising water demand, conventional sources (Lek water from NIeuwegein), are no longer a given. The treated sewage water (effluent) from the Amsterdam-West sewage treatment plant can very well meet the need for industrial water. Our partner PUB (Public Utility Board) from Singapore already has years of experience in upgrading effluent to industrial water. Some of it is also returned to the water system. During our talks and field visits, the experiences turn out to be very positive; the technology is available and social acceptance among the population is also high; PUB profiles itself strongly as a water cycle company and has a visible presence in the city-state. At every water activity, information boards tell what water does for the city. This daily ‘confrontation’ has raised awareness considerably among Singaporeans.

A Water Hub and Academy for Amsterdam - Frodo

Singapore's water story clearly focuses on the fact that every drop has value. Here, citizens are informed in a positive way about what the challenges and solutions are. As a result, there is a lot of citizen support and involvement towards being conscious and economical with water. My dream is to take a leading but facilitating public role like Singapore and promote cooperation within the water sector; concretely, this means setting up a WaterHub and WaterAcademy in Amsterdam just like the Singaporeans have.

With a public visitor centre and a fun learning programme for young and old, we will involve our customers more in the story and be transparent. In doing so, if you put various (international) water companies, start-ups and students together (against the public sector), in a WaterHub, there will be more synergy in our water systems. This benefits the water cycle and ultimately, humans.

Short timeline with highlights of the Singapore International Water Week:

• Technical working visits to: Changi Water Reclamation Plant/Deep Tunnel Sewerage System/Sembcorp NEWater Plant & Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant.
• Leading Utilities of the World - Waternet is a founding member of this.
• Embassy event: Singapore - Netherlands Water House
• Presentation of highest Singapore water award to Dutchman (professor) GertJan Medema (KWR)
• XPRIZE panel (Frodo) Innovation for startups around efficient water use (180m euros)
• Hydrogen Strategy for the Dutch Wastewater Treatment Organisations (Sander)
• Dinner with Henk Ovink - former water envoy of the Netherlands and now director of Global Commission on the Economics of Water.
• Innovation forum (Sander) with Dutch entrepreneurs
• Wavemakers youth event (Sander)

The next, more compact AIWW edition, will take place in March 2025 and will of course include a delegation from Singapore. Want to know more? Contact Frodo: [email protected]