Singapore leads the way in charting future research directions for water solutions

Global summit identifies low-energy seawater desalination, network asset management and energy efficiency in wastewater treatment amongst the key technology focus areas

Singapore, 22 June 2015 – More than 300 senior water technology experts from 35 countries identified the technology focus areas (TFAs) for the global water industry at the first ever Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) Technology and Innovation Summit (STIS), held from 16-17 June 2015. These included low-energy seawater desalination, network asset management and energy efficiency in wastewater treatment, amongst others.

These areas were identified by experts from water and wastewater utilities, industrial water users, solution providers, research institutes, international organisations, investors and technology multipliers over two days.

“Singapore is once again honoured to convene the world’s leading experts in water technology and innovation to focus on critical issues in greater depth,” said Summit Chairperson Mr Ng Joo Hee, who is also the Chief Executive of PUB, Singapore’s national water agency. “The law of economics dictates that we need to allocate scarce resources to where they are demanded most, and to use them in the most efficient manner possible. These research areas are thus important towards accelerating the development of new solutions. With increasingly complex challenges faced by the water sector cutting across multiple domains, we have also witnessed the need for integrated solutions that effectively combines two or more TFAs together.”

“As many of the identified TFAs are aligned with PUB’s technology roadmap, I am looking forward to collaborations between PUB and like-minded institutions to develop solutions to achieve water sustainability for Singapore,” added Mr Ng.

Organisations that are keen to develop their own technology roadmap also found the discussions useful.

“Attending the SIWW Technology and Innovation Summit provided us with a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in water technology and innovation. It has enriched our learning and knowledge in water, particularly on the importance of going back to basics and identifying the key gaps in our water sector. We are keen to work on a long-term technology roadmap to address these challenges,” said Mr Virgilio C. Rivera Jr., Chief Operating Officer, New Business, Manila Water Company, Philippines.

The outcomes from the two-day summit will be supplemented with case studies and compiled into a global blueprint for water solutions, and will help shape the content and discussions for SIWW 2016.

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About Singapore International Water Week

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions. The biennial event gathers stakeholders from the global water industry to share best practices, showcase the latest technologies and tap business opportunities. SIWW is part of the strategic programme of the Singapore Government to grow the water industry and develop water technologies.

Held in between the main SIWW editions, the SIWW Spotlight series are exclusive by-invitation events to continue the dialogue from SIWW and foster ongoing exchanges on pressing challenges faced by the water industry worldwide. This meeting of minds focuses on critical issues and discussions in greater depth, where the outcomes will shape the programme and content for SIWW.

These events are organised by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a company set up by Singapore's Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency.

The 7th Singapore International Water Week will be held in conjunction with the 5th World Cities Summit and the 3rd CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, from 10 – 14 July 2016 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

For more information, visit www.siww.com.sg.

About PUB

PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the water agency that manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way.

About PUB’s tagline: Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy

PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water).

To provide water for all, PUB calls on all to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. If we all play our part, we can have enough water for all our needs – for industry, for living, for life.

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SIWW Technology and Innovation Summit 2015

The TFAs were identified against a background of key innovation drivers facing the global municipal and industrial water sectors. These include rapid urbanisation, changing demographics, economic growth and climate change, which put a stress on the world’s water resources. Delegates debated on the respective merits of each TFA in the fields of clean water and used water, before voting for those that would be of highest priority.

The identification of TFAs is only the first step to bringing innovation into the water sector. The STIS also discussed how the water sector has conventionally been viewed as a sector with high barriers to innovation. These barriers includes (i) water not being priced appropriately, (ii) fragmented global water market, (iii) regulations hindering adoption of new technologies, and (iv) water sector being risk averse given its position on the frontline of producing a critical resource for the nation or state.

Similarly, businesses or industrial water users can be risk averse as they want to protect the profitability of their business. The way forward is for the water sector, both municipal and industrial, to work together to develop approaches to overcome the barriers and bring new water innovation to the market. These included inculcating an innovation culture, through leadership, development of a clear and systematic pathway from research to implementation, facilitating more collaborative platforms for test-bedding, and demonstration projects.

Key TFAs

•  Decentralised Treatment Technologies

•  Low Energy and High Water Recovery for Reuse

•  Point of Use Reuse

•  Source Separation for Waste Water Management

•  Low Energy Seawater Desalination

•  Low Temperature Thermal Desalination

•  Biological Processes of Water & Waste Water

•  Brine Management

•  Network Asset Management

•  Industrial Water Technologies

•  Water Demand Management

•  Storm Water Management for Flood Control and Water Supply

•  Sludge Management

•  Separation / Membrane Technologies

•  Optimisation of Waste Water Collection Systems

•  Improving Energy Efficiency and Generating Energy from Waste Water

•     Treatment