CH2M Hill manages work on water reclamation plant

CH2M Hill has been working with PUB, Singapore's national water agency, since the mid-1990s to manage and integrate the planning, design and build of a used-water collection and treatment project.

The opening of the Changi Water Reclamation Plant (CWRP) marks the completion of phase one of Singapore's Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS).

Senior management, technologists and local representatives of CH2M Hill, a full-service engineering, procurement, construction and operations company, were scheduled to attend the plant's opening on 23 June.

Attendees also included local and overseas delegates as well as Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister of Singapore.

The CWRP facility is designed by CH2M Hill in full 3D+ database to treat water generated by homes, local shops and industries and to produce high-quality treated effluent.

The compact and covered wastewater treatment facility is designed to process 800,000m3 per day and is expandable in phases to its ultimate capacity of 2.4 million cubic metres per day, while remaining partially underground and utilising approximately one third of the land required for a conventional plant.

Constructing the CWRP on the eastern edge of the island on reclaimed land freed up much valued land currently occupied in central Singapore by other reclamation plants and pumping stations.

The CWRP replaces three of its existing water reclamation plants.

The plant was designed for a 100-year lifecycle and has mitigated noise- and air-emission impacts to satisfy Singapore's environmental regulations.

It also meets small-footprint, odour-control, aesthetic-appearance and multi-modal-use targets.

Double-covered liquid treatment removes tanks from sight and provides space for rooftop development, featuring light industry and additional water reuse facilities.

Materials, finishes, fenestration and landscaping were designed to meet aesthetic, marine environment and functional goals.

Local architects led the way in designing the landscapes using native plants.

As part of the overall sewerage system, the CWRP is producing product water of a quality suitable for reuse and has released land for higher-value development.

It will help improve water quality in the shallow waters around Singapore through its advanced solids processing and outfall systems and will improve sewerage system operations overall.

The CWRP offers a number of energy- and labour-saving features, including energy recovery from biogas generated during anaerobic digestion for sludge drying and automated monitoring and control using advanced computer technology.

The second WRP on the western end will, eventually, serve the other half of Singapore.

The DTSS and CWRP are only part of the master plan to reach Singapore's goals of cleaner waters around the island, a healthier environment for its citizens and enhancing the country's reputation as a global water high-technology centre.

Other projects include the PUB's five landmark Newater treatment plants, an extensive public education programme and the long-term Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters programme.

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