Summary Reader Response (Tuas WRP) - Draft 1
In the article, “Singapore’s First Integrated Water and Solid Waste Treatment Facility Begins Construction” the National Environmental Agency (NEA) (2020) states that with Tuas water reclamation plant (Tuas WRP) and integrated waste management facility (IWMF) built, waste treatment would be more efficient and environmentally friendly. Singapore decided to construct Tuas WRP to prepare for water usage potentially being doubled by 2060. In phase 1, the plant’s influent pumping stations will be built. It conveys used water from tunnels to treatment units within Tuas WRP. In phase 2, the tunnels and sewers that carry domestic and industrial used water will be constructed under the Ayer Rajah Expressway. It is also mentioned that the Tuas WRP will consist of two “energy- efficient membrane bio-reactor systems” which treat used water. Finally, it is integrated into the NEWater factory for further purification. It is also stated that phase two will be completed in 2025. NEA states that with the implementation of Tuas WRP plants, Singapore can manage waste water better than before. As the Singapore’s water usage is predicted to be doubled by 2060, the integration of Tuas WRP is an effective measure to manage the rising need for effective waste water management.
Firstly, with Tuas WRP built, Singapore can battle the need for clean water as it is one of the countries with high water consumption rates. According to NEA (2020), Tuas WRP will be able to treat a capacity of 800,000m3 of waste water daily. That is equals to 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools' capacity. With Tuas also being able to treat industrial waste water, it can also resupply the industries with high quality industrial use water, helping in coping with the increasing water need in Singapore. NEA (2020) also states that there will be NEWater facilities installed on the rooftop of Tuas WRP. That will aid in the production for Singapore's use.
Secondly, there is a rising need for effective space management in Singapore as there is shortage in space. Tuas WRP will be aiding by being space efficient. CNA (2020) states that Tuas WRP will be equipped with the world's largest membrane bioreactor facility. That will allow the plant to be more efficient in energy while occupying lesser space as compared to conventional water treatment plants. Moreover, with the NEWater facilities installed on the rooftop of Tuas WRP, space is also being saved and managed as there are more facilities in one plot of land.
Lastly, the Tuas WRP is cost efficient in maintaining the facility. NEA (2020) states that Tuas WRP can produce electricity to operate the facility and provide excess for use in Singapore electrical grid. This will also help in cutting cost on the production of electricity for Singapore's use. In the article, "Swiss tech firm ABB wins US$30m Tuas Water Reclamation Plant contract", Rachel (2020) states that ABB will be supplying continuous asset, system monitoring and preventive maintenance for eight years after Tuas WRP is built. This will further cut the cost on operating the plant.
In conclusion, I support the idea of constructing Tuas WRP. I believe that the project has been planned to work towards resolving Singapore main few problems like rising water consumption, increasing need for space management and the increasing cost of operating treatment facilities. The project shows that Singapore came up many innovative ideas to tackle those issues. Considering the statistics and statements from the article and other trustworthy sources, I am certain that the implementation of Tuas WRP is indeed an excellent way to work towards the need for waste water management with space and cost efficiency in mind.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tuas-nexus-waste-treatment-energy-construction-begins-13091096
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