Done by: Lorraine Done by: Lorraine juan(13)juan(13)

Class:2BClass:2B

What is newater?What is newater?

• NEWater is the brand name given to reclaimed water NEWater is the brand name given to reclaimed water produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board. More produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board. More specifically, it is treated wastewater (sewage) that specifically, it is treated wastewater (sewage) that has been purified using dual-membrane (via has been purified using dual-membrane (via microfiltration and reverse osmosis) and ultraviolet microfiltration and reverse osmosis) and ultraviolet technologies, in addition to conventional water technologies, in addition to conventional water treatment processes. The water is potable and is treatment processes. The water is potable and is consumed by humans, but is mostly used for consumed by humans, but is mostly used for industry requiring high purity water.industry requiring high purity water.

Why is there a need to create newater?Why is there a need to create newater?

• NEWater is important for Singapore as we import NEWater is important for Singapore as we import most of our water from Malaysia. However due to most of our water from Malaysia. However due to current political discussions, the water supply might current political discussions, the water supply might be cut off, leaving Singapore to fend for itself for be cut off, leaving Singapore to fend for itself for water. However since in fact the water comes from water. However since in fact the water comes from Malaysia to Singapore to be purified before going Malaysia to Singapore to be purified before going back to them again as clean to drink, we have the back to them again as clean to drink, we have the purification plants where we can put the water back purification plants where we can put the water back into reservoirs before sending it through the normal into reservoirs before sending it through the normal water cleaning process.water cleaning process.

How is newater done?How is newater done?

• NEWater is the product from a multiple barrier water reclamation process:NEWater is the product from a multiple barrier water reclamation process:

• The first barrier is the conventional wastewater treatment process whereby the The first barrier is the conventional wastewater treatment process whereby the used water is treated in the Water Reclamation Plants used water is treated in the Water Reclamation Plants

• The second barrier, and first stage of the NEWater production process, uses The second barrier, and first stage of the NEWater production process, uses microfiltration/ultrafiltration to filter out suspended solids, colloidal particles, microfiltration/ultrafiltration to filter out suspended solids, colloidal particles, disease-causing bacteria, some viruses and protozoan cysts. The filtered water disease-causing bacteria, some viruses and protozoan cysts. The filtered water that goes through the membrane contains only dissolved salts and organic that goes through the membrane contains only dissolved salts and organic molecules.molecules.

• The third barrier, and second stage of the NEWater production process, utilizes The third barrier, and second stage of the NEWater production process, utilizes reverse osmosis (RO). In RO, a semi-permeable membrane filters out undesirable reverse osmosis (RO). In RO, a semi-permeable membrane filters out undesirable contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, disinfection by-products, aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides that cannot pass disinfection by-products, aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides that cannot pass through the membrane. Hence, NEWater is free from viruses and bacteria and through the membrane. Hence, NEWater is free from viruses and bacteria and contains very low levels of salts and organic matter. At this stage, the water is contains very low levels of salts and organic matter. At this stage, the water is already of potable quality. already of potable quality.

• The fourth barrier, and third stage of the NEWater production process, acts as The fourth barrier, and third stage of the NEWater production process, acts as safety precaution. UV disinfection is used to ensure that all organisms are safety precaution. UV disinfection is used to ensure that all organisms are inactivated and the purity of the product water guaranteed. With the addition of inactivated and the purity of the product water guaranteed. With the addition of some alkaline chemicals to restore the pH balance, the NEWater is ready for usesome alkaline chemicals to restore the pH balance, the NEWater is ready for use. .

productionproduction

• Singapore has a total of five operational NEWater Singapore has a total of five operational NEWater factories, at Bedok, Kranji, Seletar, Ulu Pandan and a factories, at Bedok, Kranji, Seletar, Ulu Pandan and a newly opened plant at Changi. The first two were newly opened plant at Changi. The first two were commissioned at the end of 2002, the Seletar plant in commissioned at the end of 2002, the Seletar plant in February 2004, and the Ulu Pandan plant on March, 2007. February 2004, and the Ulu Pandan plant on March, 2007. For educational purposes, there is a Visitor Centre located For educational purposes, there is a Visitor Centre located insides a working NEWater factory, near the Singapore insides a working NEWater factory, near the Singapore Expo Tanah Merah MRT Station. Expo Tanah Merah MRT Station.