PUB plans upgrade for Choa Chu Kang Waterworks

The SGD$28.8 million project has been awarded to Binnies Singapore  

Choa Chu Kang Waterworks currently hosts the world’s largest ceramic membrane system (Photo credit: PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency)

In conjunction with SIWW 2021, PUB announced that Choa Chu Kang Waterworks (CCKWW), one of Singapore’s oldest water treatment plants, will undergo reconstruction and be transformed into a water treatment facility with the latest water treatment technologies and smart capabilities to enhance its operations, maintenance, safety and security when completed in 2026.

The tender has been awarded to engineering design and consultancy company, Binnies Singapore, for SGD$28.8 million. Under the agreement, Binnies Singapore will provide detailed design, construction supervision and commissioning of CCKWW reconstruction project for the next five years.

William Yong, managing director for Binnies Singapore, commented: “The CCKWW reconstruction project will provide PUB with a blueprint for future water plants that adopt advanced digital technology in its operations and maintenance, and Binnies Singapore is proud to partner PUB in yet another groundbreaking initiative that will change the landscape for the water industry locally and beyond into the Asia region.”

CCKWW is an 80 million gallon per day water treatment plant that treats raw water from the Western Catchment Reservoirs into portable water. When upgraded, the plant will be equipped with new water treatment technologies and equipment such as high-rate clarifiers, advanced membrane filtration system, and automated chemical preparation and dosing system, replacing the existing equipment and buildings constructed before 1981.

Part of CCKWW were earlier upgraded in 2019 with advanced water treatment processes such as ceramic membranes and ozonation-biological activated carbon filtration system. These upgraded infrastructures will not be affected by the upcoming reconstruction.

The reconstructed CCKWW is envisioned to be a fully integrated and automated plant with advanced process control capabilities to optimise plant performance, achieving an efficient resource footprint while ensuring safe water quality. Process digital twin will be incorporated to mirror the performance of the entire plant and provide water quality predictions, serving as a decision support tool to enhance operational effectiveness while doubling up as a training simulator to continuously upskill operators.

Smart technologies and digital solutions will be adopted in its operations and maintenance – such as integrating cameras with video analytics, headsets that allows for remote supervision, and wearable devices with geofencing and health monitoring functions via a structural digital twin to improve operational reliability, safety and security of the plant.

New rooftop solar panels will also be added to the existing 1mW peak system, to power its operational needs and reduce its carbon footprint.