A New Ripple Of Life For Our Reservoirs

By: Simon Koh Yuan Zhi

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), was held at Suntec City Convention Centre this year. The aim of this annual event is to showcase solutions to water problems. It featured various inventions and solutions from small-scale companies such as eWater to huge corporations such as Mitsubishi Electric. While many clad in office suits were roaming the convention in search of a company that would provide the next water solution, one company stood out amongst the rest with many students from both secondary and tertiary students visiting it. It was non other than our very own Public Utilities Board (PUB) for its exhibition on its face-lifting efforts on various reservoirs and canals in Singapore.

In 2006, PUB had started the “Active, Beautiful and Clean” (ABC) Waters which is aimed at both partial and full revamping of various water bodies located around Singapore. For example, the former landfill near Serangoon Reservoir has been transformed into a wetland that naturally purifies and cleanses both water from various canals entering the reservoir as well as rainwater that falls on waste in the landfill and then trickles towards the canals.

The wetland also serves as a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife near the Serangoon reservoir. In addition, it includes an educational kiosk and a wetland trail with information on the functions of the wetland and how it keeps the water in the reservoir clean.

So far, 16 water bodies have undergone transformations and it is only the first phase of this project. Phase Two will see a hundred more locations to be revamped, not only

to improve the quality of water collected at various reservoirs, but also to add features such as viewing galleries and boardwalks. Furthermore, amenities such as boat sheds will be built to facilitate water activities such as kayaking and sailing.

“Ultimately, all these efforts to beautify and clean the areas aim to bring people closer to the water and allows residents to take pride in the surroundings that they live in.” explained Tushall Washdiv Sharma, 20, a Chemical Engineering student from Temasek Polytechnic who volunteered at the ABC Waters exhibition.

He also mentioned that studies have shown a forty percent increase in visitors to the reservoirs after being revamped. He also says that while the Town Council is officially tasked to keep the reservoirs clean, residents around the area are called on to play a part in keeping the area litter-free as well.

“By making the country eco-friendly, it will have a big impact on society in making them feel responsible for their own surroundings.” said Joel Low Yu Sheng, 19, a Chemical Engineering student from Temasek Polytechnic who volunteered at the exhibition as well.

“Most importantly, the public needs to know why this is important so that they can help save their environment because even minor efforts can make a huge difference.” asserted Joel.