KWR and PUB Singapore talked on joint research rainwater storage for drinking water

 A delegation from the Singaporean water company PUB visited KWR Watercycle Research Institute in the Netherlands to talk about joint research on the capture and use of rainwater.

Both the Dutch and Singapore delegation concluded that new water concepts are needed to enable a more extensive use of rainwater for drinking water.

Singapore is facing four main objectives in the area of drinking water:
- collection of every drop: optimizing the country’s rainfall collection 
- collection of every used drop: a centralised wastewater system
- using every drop more than once: water reuse 
- collecting new water: water desalination

Used water 
Because of the country’s small surface, it is not in a position to store all of its rainwater for use as drinking water. Currently, 90% of the country’s land is already being used to capture rainwater and, among other initiatives, an artificial lake was created to increase water storage and security.

Use of treated waste water for production of drinking water is also becoming increasingly important in Singapore. People rather speak of 'used water' and “new water” to raise the acceptability of this water source.

Research subjects in common
Much more research is needed on new water concepts. As KWR and the Dutch water companies may contribute to achieve these goals as they are working intensively on the subjects, e.g. on research into water quality sensors and chemical screening techniques.

After KWR, the PUB delegation visited Vitens (NL), Veolia (F), Thames Water (UK) and Eawag (CH).

This news item was originally published on the website of KWR Watercycle Research Institute.

More information
KWR Watercycle research institute
Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
+31 30 60 69 511
www.kwrwater.nl