Singapore Launches Asia’s First Aquatic Science Center

Singapore’s Aquatic Science Center (ASC), the first of its kind in Asia, was officially opened on Wednesday.

AsianScientist (Jul. 11, 2011) – Singapore has launched an US$5.2 million Aquatic Science Center (ASC), the first of its kind in Asia.

The Center is the collaborative effort of the Singapore Delft-Water Alliance (SDWA), a joint research initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB), and Dutch research institute Deltares.

“The completion of the Aquatic Science Center (ASC) marks an important milestone in NUS’ collaboration with PUB and Deltares,” said NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan.

“The research activities at the ASC will enable SDWA to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to further enhance the quality and supply of freshwater in Singapore. We are also very excited to elevate our partnership with Deltares to new heights in order to provide research and specialist consultancy services in water management,” he said.

The research facility – strategically located along a park connector along Sungei Ulu Pandan – will be used to educate the public on sustainable urban water management issues. It will also research into fundamental and applied aspects on water management such as bioremediation, biosorption, ecotoxicological studies, interaction of flow, and biota.

ASC’s opening ceremony on Wednesday saw the attendance of more than 200 representatives from the water industry, academia, and government agencies, including Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, who also officially opened the ASC.

Indeed, one of the pressing national issues constantly facing this land-and-water scarce island state is sustainable water supply and management of water resources, says Mr. Khoo Teng Chye, Chief Executive of PUB.

“Water from local catchments is a pillar of Singapore’s sustainable water supply. Singapore’s strategy has always been to create estuarine reservoirs by damming the major rivers so as to catch as much stormwater as possible for water supply,” he said.

“Although today’s technologies can treat all water to drinking standards that meet the World Health Organization’s requirements, we need to find more ways to keep the stormwater we collect as clean as possible. Other than engaging people who live and work in the water catchment area to be water guardians, we also turn to R&D. Having a center that can mimic nature will help us find sustainable solutions to urban freshwater management,” Khoo said.

The ASC initiative originated in July 2008, and construction of the 6,700 square meter Center began in 2009. Earlier this year, the facility was awarded the Green Mark GoldPlus by the Singapore Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

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Source: NUS.
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