NEWater#Potability
{{Short description|Brand of reclaimed wastewater}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
Image:NEWater.jpg celebrations of 2005 at Marina South]]
File:NEWater Bottle NDP 2014.jpeg
NEWater (pronounced New-Water) is the brand name given to highly treated reclaimed wastewater produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board. NEWater is produced by further purifying conventionally treated wastewater through microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet
radiation. The water is potable quality and can be added to drinking water supply reservoirs where it is withdrawn and treated again in conventional water treatment plants before being distributed to consumers. However, most NEWater is currently used for non-drinking purposes, mostly by industries with production requirements for high purity water.
History
Singapore considered water recycling to augment its limited fresh water supply starting in the 1970s.Water management in Singapore. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 22(2), 227–240, p. 230 A Master Plan drafted in 1972 identified water reclamation and desalination as alternatives to reduce dependence on imported water from Malaysia. Subsequently, an experimental water reclamation treatment plant was built in 1974, but the operation was terminated after only one year due to costs and reliability issues.{{cite web |url=http://www.khmerstudies.org/download-files/events/Water/Lee%20Nov%202005.pdf |title=Water Management Issues in Singapore |author=Lee Poh Onn |year=2005 |publisher=Centre for Khmer Studies}}
In 1998, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) initiated the Singapore Water Reclamation Study (NEWater Study).{{Cite web|title=Singapore Water Reclamation Study, Expert Panel Review and Findings|url=http://uwatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/newater-study-report.pdf|date=2002|website=United Water Technologies}} The aim was to determine if NEWater was a viable source of raw water for Singapore's needs. NEWater and desalination both were explored to reduce reliance on water imported from Malaysia, which has long been a source of friction between the Malaysian and Singapore governments.{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269694158 |last=Zhang |first=S.X. |author2=V. Babovic |title=A real options approach to the design and architecture of water supply systems using innovative water technologies under uncertainty |journal=Journal of Hydroinformatics |date=2012|volume=14 |pages=13–29 |doi=10.2166/hydro.2011.078 |s2cid=54548372 |doi-access=free }} The Malaysian government is treaty-bound to sell water to Singapore until 2061, but it has no obligation to do so after that date.{{cite web |last1=Chew |first1=Valerie |title=Singapore-Malaysia Water Agreements |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1533_2009-06-23.html |website=Singapore Infopedia |access-date=23 November 2014}}
In 2001, PUB initiated efforts to identify non-potable uses of water. NEWater, because of its high quality, became the supply of choice for industry demands. This use provided an outlet for this new water supply without increasing the demand on the limited potable water supply.[http://www.pub.gov.sg/about/historyfuture/Pages/NEWater.aspx History of NEWater] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610102220/http://www.pub.gov.sg/about/historyfuture/pages/newater.aspx |date=10 June 2013 }}
The PUB launched NEWater to the public in 2003, with the opening of the first two NEWater plants - the Bedok and Kranji plants - as well as the NEWater Visitor Centre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pub.gov.sg/|title=PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency|last=PUB|website=PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency|language=en|access-date=2019-11-17}} In anticipation of the potential public concerns over the safety of recycled water, NEWater was carefully implemented. The PUB was cautious in its usage of terms, avoiding terms such as 'wastewater' or 'sewage' that carried a negative connotation.{{Cite journal|last=Leong|first=Ching|date=2010|title=Eliminating 'Yuck': A Simple Exposition of Media and Social Change in Water Reuse Policies|journal=International Journal of Water Resources Development|volume=26|issue=1|pages=111–124|doi=10.1080/07900620903392174|s2cid=152850954}} Sewage treatment plants were renamed to 'water reclamation plants' and sewage or wastewater were referred to as 'used water'. This contributed to a positive framing of NEWater, enhancing public acceptance of reused water. In addition, the government extensively engaged the public through exhibitions and advertisements to educate them about NEWater. The NEWater Visitor Centre, which allows people to view the NEWater treatment process, was also opened to enhance visitors' understanding of how NEWater is produced. These public engagement efforts were aimed at correcting any misunderstandings people might have towards recycled water and increasing public support for reused water.{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalwaterforum.org/2018/01/15/newater-in-singapore/|title=NEWater in Singapore|last=Tan|first=Thai Pin|date=2018-01-15|website=Global Water Forum|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-17}}
Also, innovative technologies which was promoted by international industries applied on NEWater, such as [https://www.lgwatersolutions.com/en/main LG Chem]{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Dasom |title=LG Chem Joins Oman's Largest Desalination Facility… "Supplying Clean Water to 2.5 Million People" |url=https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20240715_0002811409 |access-date=15 July 2024}} and DuPont{{cite web |last1=Chew |first1=Valerie |title=Singapore selects DuPont Water Solutions' MBR, RO technologies|url=https://www.wwdmag.com/wastewater-treatment/press-release/33001286/singapore-selects-dupont-water-solutions-mbr-ro-technologies|website=Waste Water digest |access-date=3 July 2023}} in its reverse osmosis technologies.
Production
File:NEWater S.C.A.D.A. room.jpg
The first NEWater plant was completed in May 2000. Singapore currently has four operational NEWater factories, at Bedok, Kranji, Ulu Pandan and Changi. The Bedok and Kranji factories were commissioned in 2002, the Ulu Pandan plant in March 2007 and the Changi plant in August 2009.[http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/Pages/default.aspx The 3rd National Tap] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528095250/http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/Pages/default.aspx|date=28 May 2016}}{{cite news |title=Bộ lọc nước phèn |url=https://locphen.vn/loc-nuoc-phen-gia-dinh.html}} A plant at Seletar, commissioned in February 2004, was closed in 2011,[http://www.pub.gov.sg/annualreport2011/A-Complete-Makeover.html A Complete Makeover] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801093648/http://www.pub.gov.sg/annualreport2011/A-Complete-Makeover.html|date=1 August 2013}} as the PUB implemented its plan to centralize the treatment of used water, under the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System.{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet – NEWater in Singapore|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1516fsc22-newater-in-singapore-20160226-e.pdf|date=26 February 2016|website=Legislative Council of Hong Kong|publisher=Research Office, Information Services Division, Legislative Council Secretariat|access-date=8 June 2017}} In January 2017, a new NEWater plant was launched at Changi, and is the first plant to be jointly developed by a foreign and local company.{{cite news |last1=Boh |first1=Samantha |title=Singapore launches fifth Newater plant at Changi, boosting water supply |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-launches-fifth-newater-plant-at-changi-boosting-treated-used-water-supply-by-10 |access-date=8 June 2017 |work=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=18 January 2017}}
The Bedok and Kranji plants are operated by the Public Utilities Board, while the Ulu Pandan and Changi plants are under DBOO concessions by Keppel Seghers[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/264240/1/.html NEWater to supply 30% of Singapore's water needs by 2011: PM] and Sembcorp Industries.[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/323355/1/.html PUB awards contract for NEWater plant at Changi to Sembcorp]
There is a Visitor Centre in the NEWater factory in Bedok, near the Singapore Expo Tanah Merah MRT station. The visitor centre was awarded the Best Sightseeing/Leisure/Educational Programme at the 20th Tourism Awards 2005 and the IWA Marketing & Communication Award in 2006.{{cite web |title=NEWater Visitor Centre |url=http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/visitors/Pages/default.aspx |ref=10 |access-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013807/http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/visitors/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}
The visitor centre provides multiple free programmes to educate the public regarding the technologies and production of NEWater:
- NEWater Scientist Program – Students take on the role of NEWater Scientists and explore the visitor centre{{cite web |title=The NEWater Scientist Programme |url=http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/NEWaterScientistProgramme.aspx |website=PUB |ref=11 |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002060250/http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/NEWaterScientistProgramme.aspx |archive-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}
- Outdoor Classroom – Host fun activities and experiments that help students learn about reverse osmosis and other NEWater processes{{cite web |title=Outdoor Classroom |url=http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/outdoorclassroom.aspx |website=PUB |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002060257/http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/outdoorclassroom.aspx |archive-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}
- Water Ambassadors – Small workshops that teach uniformed groups (i.e. National Cadet Corps and Scouts Association) skills to be water ambassadors{{cite web |title=Wanted: Water Ambassadors |url=http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/Ambassadors.aspx |website=PUB |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002060246/http://www.pub.gov.sg/fow/Programmes/Pages/Ambassadors.aspx |archive-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}
=Procedure=
NEWater source water comes from effluent of secondary sewage treatment plants.{{cite journal |title=Design, Operation and Maintenance |journal=The MBR Book |date=2011 |pages=209–288 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-08-096682-3.10003-4 |isbn=9780080966823 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/newater |access-date=14 November 2021}} The effluent passes through a multiple-barrier water reclamation process:{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Rajindar |title=Hybrid Membrane Systems – Applications and Case Studies |journal=Membrane Technology and Engineering for Water Purification |date=2015 |pages=179–281 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-63362-0.00003-3|isbn=9780444633620 }}{{cite book |title=The MBR book : principles and applications of membrane bioreactors for water and wastewater treatment |date=2010 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |location=Oxford |isbn=9780080967677 |pages=36–39 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SYI2FAAM04kC&pg=PA36 |access-date=14 November 2021}}
- The first stage of the NEWater production process uses microfiltration/ultrafiltration to remove suspended solids, colloidal particles, disease-causing bacteria, some viruses and protozoan cysts. The filtered water after passing through the membrane contains only dissolved salts and organic molecules.
- The second stage of the NEWater production process uses reverse osmosis (RO). A semi-permeable membrane filters out contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, disinfection by-products, aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides. NEWater is thus free from viruses and bacteria and contains very low levels of salts and organic matter. At this stage, the water is of potable quality.
- The third stage of the NEWater production process is a safety precaution. UV disinfection is used to ensure that all organisms are inactivated and the purity of the water can be guaranteed. After adding some alkaline chemicals to restore the pH balance, NEWater is ready for use.
File:Microfiltration system at Bedok NEWater Factory.jpg|Microfiltration system
File:Cutaway of a microfiltration module with hollow fiber membranes at a NEWater plant.jpg|Cutaway of a microfiltration module with hollow fiber membranes
File:Ultrafiltration system at Bedok NEWater Factory.jpg|Immersed ultrafiltration with permeate pumps
File:ZeeWeed 500 ultrafiltration module at a NEWater plant.jpg|Ultrafiltration membrane module
File:Reverse osmosis system at Bedok NEWater Factory.jpg|Reverse osmosis system
File:Cutaway of a 16" reverse osmosis tube.jpg|Cutaway of a reverse osmosis module
File:Cutaway model of UV disinfection unit used in NEWater water treatment plants.jpg|Cutaway model of UV disinfection unit
Since 2002, there have been pilot programs to consider replacing the activated sludge process of the secondary sewage treatment and the microfiltration/ultrafiltration stage of the NEWater with a membrane bioreactor process.
Applications
The total capacity of the plants is about {{convert|200|e6USgal/day|m3/day}}. About 6% of this is used for indirect potable use, equal to about 1% of Singapore's potable water requirement of {{convert|380|e6USgal/day|m3/day}}. The rest is used at wafer fabrication plants and other non-potable applications in industries in Woodlands, Tampines, Pasir Ris, and Ang Mo Kio.
Government figures show that the country's NEWater plans can meet up to 40% of Singapore's current needs, and the figure is expected to go up to 55% by 2060.{{cite web |title=PUB NEWater |url=https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater |website=Singapore Public Utilities Board |access-date=15 November 2017}}
=Potability=
The quality of NEWater consistently exceeds the requirements set by USEPA and WHO guidelines and is cleaner than other water sources in Singapore.Public Utilities Board, [http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/pub/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx?qst=2fN7e274RAp%2bbUzLdEL%2fmCxs7iwcgv8gv2atNDOvsLBMVTHPQYpeJ3U6F%2fj3A%2f3j7%2fwKLC7glSxHwjdLC2OwZYreGA08UY45tDLVzNxWMKVc73%2b0u3OAk%2fQKJud5f42WkJ6WxPt7m0LqgQLXhWWjq9X7vENKmbhWHycu6HuThdQ%3d NEWater FAQ]
The following table compares the water quality of NEWater to the WHO and USEPA standards.{{cite web |title=NEWater Quality |url=http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/quality/Pages/default.aspx |website=PUB |access-date=23 November 2014 |ref=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201090148/http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/newater/quality/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Quality Chart | ||
| Water Quality Parameters | NEWater | USEPA /WHO Standards |
|---|---|---|
| colspan=3 {{rh|align=center}} |A) Physical | ||
| Turbidity (NTU) | <5 | 5/5 |
| Colour (Hazen Units) | <5 | 15/15 |
| Conductivity (μS/cm) | <250 | Not Specified |
| pH Value | 7.0–8.5 | 6.5–8.5 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) | <150 | 500/1000 |
| Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) | <0.5 | -/- |
| Total Hardness ({{chem2|CaCO3}})(mg/L) | <50 | Not Available |
| colspan=3 {{rh|align=center}} |B) Chemical (mg/L) | ||
| Ammoniacal nitrogen (as N) | <1.0 | -/1.2 |
| Chloride (Cl) | <20 | 250/250 |
| Fluoride (F) | <0.5 | 4/1.5 |
| Nitrate ({{chem2|NO3}}) | <15 | 10/11 |
| Silica ({{chem2|SiO2}}) | <3 | -/- |
| Sulphate ({{chem2|SO4}}) | <5 | 250/250 |
| Residual Chlorine (Cl, Total) | <2 | 4/5 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (as mg/L) | <0.08 | 0.08/- |
| colspan=3 {{rh|align=center}} |C) Metals (mg/L) | ||
| Aluminum | <0.1 | 0.05–0.2/0.2 |
| Barium | <0.1 | 2/0.7 |
| Boron | <0.5 | -/0.5 |
| Calcium | 4 - 20 | -/- |
| Copper | <0.05 | 1.3/2 |
| Iron | <0.04 | 0.3/0.3 |
| Manganese | <0.05 | 0.05/0.4 |
| Sodium | <20 | -/200 |
| Strontium | <0.1 | -/- |
| Zinc | <0.1 | 5/3 |
| colspan=3 {{rh|align=center}} |D) Bacteriological | ||
| Total Coliform Bacteria (Counts/100 mL) | Not detectable | Not detectable |
| Enterovirus | Not detectable | Not detectable |
| Heterotrophic Plate Count (CFU/mL, 35 °C, 48 h) | <300 | <500/- |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.pub.gov.sg/Public/WaterLoop/OurWaterStory/NEWater Official site]
{{Singapore topics}}
Category:2003 establishments in Singapore