| Harvesting urban stormwater as a source of water supply could be possible with the newly-opened Aquatic Science Centre at Ulu Pandan.
The Aquatic Science Centre will be studying in-depth issues - such as whether there is a soil and plant type that can affect the quality of rainwater and what types of sediments best clean rainwater - with scientists, sociologists and even policy makers working together.
The aim is to be able to develop sustainable solutions for urban freshwater management.
Water quality tests - even from the nearby Ulu Sungei Canal - are an integral part of the work.
The 34-metre long bioflume with an adjustable wall is Asia's first such experiment facility. Its barricade can be expanded up to five metres wide, depending on what experiments researches want to conduct. The facility also allows for the speed of water to be adjusted and plants to grow, so as to find out what types of plants can help mitigate floods while cleaning stormwater.
It also has a 95-m long wave-like transparent roof, rain water collection and in-house waste water treatment capabilities. It is one of the eco-friendly buildings in Singapore and has been awarded the Green Mark GoldPlus by BCA.
It goes beyond a research being facility. It is also used for training, sharing knowledge and public outreach.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan opened the Aquatic Science Centre on 6 July 2011, Wednesday, the first of its kind in Asia.
Costing S$6.4 million, the centre is a joint initiative among the National University of Singapore, national water agency PUB and Dutch company Deltares.
The Albert Winsemius Lane is named after the former Dutch economist and advisor to Singapore. The name was unveiled by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Prof. Jan-Peter Balkenende, during the ground breaking ceremony of the ASC on 23 October 2010.
Public can just visit the facility and there are storyboards around the Aquatic Science Centre.
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