SINGAPORE, June 2, 2014 -- Singapore's national water agency, PUB, will be collaborating with international water companies and research centers to explore research and development (R&D) projects in water treatment. During Singapore International Water Week 2014 (SIWW), five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) will be signed with Evoqua Water Technologies, Grundfos, Technologiezentrum Wasse (TZW), KWR Watercycle Research Institute, and Anaergia Pte Ltd. These projects will further drive Singapore's growth in water R&D to co-create solutions that can enhance water resilience and promote the country as a global hydro hub. PUB and Evoqua will further develop electrochemical desalination technology that aims to improve the energy and cost efficiencies in seawater desalination. Evoqua, which has been presently engaged in a demonstration with PUB for initial feasibility of advanced electrochemical desalination technology, will now explore the design, construction, installation, and evaluation of a system comprising Evoqua E-Desal equipment to produce drinking water from seawater with an eventual capacity of 1 U.S. million gallons per day (MGD) for the demo plant. The parties shall commission the initial phase of the demo project by Dec. 31, 2014. Accordingly, the collaboration between TZW and PUB will focus on the enhancement of the water treatment processes. Under the MOU, experts from both companies will be working together on two projects related to biological activated carbon and limestone filtration. Other potential areas of collaboration include the enhancement of several water treatment processes such as coagulation and advanced oxidation. PUB will also be working with Grundfos on the development and application of high-efficient pump solutions, R&D in wastewater treatment solutions, disinfection technologies, applications of in-pipe energy recovery technologies, and other relevant water innovation areas. In addition, PUB will be collaborating with KWR Watercycle Research Institute in Watershare and join the program as a Gold member. As part of this partnership, PUB will focus on their knowledge tools such as the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Treatment Calculator, Optivalves, and Network Flow Performance to enhance water treatment and water network management. Further, the partnership with Anaergia Pte Ltd will focus on potential waste-to-energy research projects, particularly anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and used water sludge to derive positive synergies for enhanced energy recovery. "R&D has been key to Singapore overcoming its water vulnerabilities and achieving a secure water supply, and it will remain vital as we explore ways to keep our water supply sustainable and affordable," said Chew Men Leong, PUB chief executive and executive director, Environment & Industry Programme Office (EWI). "The collaborations with international partners will help us scale greater heights in water research, enabling us to find new and innovative ways to contain the rising costs of treating and producing water." The projects are also testament to Singapore's vibrant water industry. The environment and water industry have been identified as a key growth sector in Singapore, with the EWI established in 2006 to promote research and development in the field, grow the industry and position Singapore as a global R&D base for environment and water solutions. Today, Singapore has a thriving cluster of 130 water companies and 28 research centres, with more than S$314 million channelled into 435 R&D projects. Beyond providing an environment for business and research, Singapore also plays a key role in forging dialogue amongst the policymakers, water experts and industry leaders on water issues, challenges and solutions through platforms such as the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). Singapore International Water Week is being held from June 1-5, 2014 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
See also:
"SIWW to embody talent development, technology commercialization, industrial water solutions"
"Singapore International Water Week 2014 to be held in June"
About PUB
PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the national water agency, managing Singapore's water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006. For more information, visit www.pub.gov.sg.
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