2011 – Chintan Daiya, India
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World Plumbing Council Education & Training Scholarship 2011 Chintan Daiya Introduction Site Visit: Singapore Zoo ........................ 25 Contents Innovations in sensing water distribution problems. ................................................... 26 Introduction ..................................................... 3 Site Visit: Plumbing Retrofitting and Tank Why Singapore for India?............................. 3 Sterilization. ............................................... 27 The Singapore Plumbing Society ...................... 4 The Four Taps of Singapore ........................... 29 Training & Registration of Plumbers ................ 6 Tap 1 - Local Catchment ............................. 29 Timeline........................................................ 6 History .................................................... 30 1958 – 1964.............................................. 6 The Seventeen Reservoirs ...................... 32 1965 – 1971.............................................. 6 Tap 2 - Imported Water ............................. 38 1972 – 1985.............................................. 6 Tap 3 - NEWater ......................................... 40 1986 – 2006.............................................. 6 NEWater, not really NEW!?! .................. 41 2007 – Present ......................................... 7 The Present ............................................ 41 Compared to Training in India. .................... 8 DTSS (Deep Tunnel Sewerage System) .. 41 1950: Craftsman Training Scheme ........... 8 The Multiplier Effect of NEWater ........... 43 1961: Apprenticeship Training Scheme ... 9 The Process ............................................ 45 Advanced Vocational Training Scheme .... 9 The Indian Scenario ................................ 47 The PUB of Singapore .................................... 10 NEWater Quality Parameters ................. 47 PUB’s Tagline .............................................. 10 Tap 4 - Desalination ................................... 48 Customer C.A.R.E. Philosophy.................... 11 The Plant Process ................................... 48 Key Performance Indicators ................... 11 Environmental Concerns ........................ 50 Codes and Standards of Singapore ............ 12 Innovations in Desalination. ................... 51 Licensing of Plumbers for Water Service ... 13 Concluding Afterthoughts .............................. 54 Water Conservation: A Top Priority ........... 14 Acknowledgements ........................................ 55 Teach the Children ................................. 14 Household Conservation (10-Litre Challenge) .............................................. 17 Water Efficient Homes ........................... 17 Water Efficient Labelling Scheme (WELS) ............................................................... 18 Industrial / Commercial / Hotel Level Conservation .......................................... 20 Site Visit: Meter Testing Workshop. .......... 21 The ABC Programme .................................. 23 Site Visit: Kallang River Bishan Park ...... 23 Uniquely Singapore | A WPC Scholarship Report P a g e | 2 Introduction Introduction microfiltration and RO with ultraviolet Singapore gets its name from the Sanskrit technologies, in addition to conventional water combination, “Singha” meaning lion and treatment processes. This is potable grade and “Pura” a city. Indeed one of Asia’s four lions also used in industries requiring high quality has been a turning point in my knowledge of water), and seawater desalination. Gradually, plumbing. In the pages which follow, I will try water is replacing oil in political motives, to re-live and take you along on this wonderful globally. Singapore is also strategizing to experience of mine. reduce reliance on supply from Malaysia (which is presently up to 40%) by increasing Why Singapore for India? the volume supplied from these three sources. Storm run-off or rainwater harvesting has been implemented in India since many long years; I wanted to learn what innovations Singapore has attained in this technology. India, at the same time, via the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is compelling new developments to install sewage treatment plants, but the lack of knowledge for handling sewage poses a very high potential risk to India, presently is seeing a huge spurt in real public health and environment at the same estate development and satellite townships, in time. Singapore implements the same; it was most of the cases, the townships are being of interest to learn their management process developed in areas which do not have an for such a hazardous process being so well existing basic infrastructure. The country faces executed. mandatory impositions of “zero-discharge”; it India wants to venture in to seawater practically becomes a difficult situation to desalination, but long term effects, it seems, implement technics which may face difficulties have disastrous consequences from brines, in maintenance later. which are led back into the sea after the My visit to Singapore was purely intended to desalination process is completed. The payoff learn how they manage such a small country is an increase in ocean salinity as well as the with a large population so precisely. The water warming of coastal areas. I wanted to learn as resources of Singapore are especially precious to how Singapore manages to run desalination given the small amount of land and territory in while managing these hurdles. Singapore's geography while having a large Further, if any cultural habits or geographical urban population in the city-state. How they effects forced Singapore to work out the manage 24-hour water supply, while places in systems they presently use, I wanted to learn India go without supply for up to a week. how their existing codes and practices were, Singapore relies on four water sources: and are being implemented. How the code- Rainfall, collected in reservoirs or water makers got them accepted by the local catchments, reclaimed water (producing jurisdictions and their enforcements? What NEWater, a brand which is treated sewage mistakes they did in the past, where they had purified using dual-membrane via to rebuke things which they had enforced? Uniquely Singapore | A WPC Scholarship Report P a g e | 3 The Singapore Plumbing Society The Singapore Plumbing Society bodies (BCA) in pursuit of its aim. The warm support extended by Singapore Its members are committed to the Society Plumbing Society is beyond words, for me, to Code of Practices & Ethics. SPS very well express. The Singapore Plumbing Society, understands that mere presence of the code which was founded in 1956, having a base of can create a false sense of security unless the more than 400 registered plumbers, is located documents are not fully understood, enforced in an old Victorian shop-house on the Jalan and made a meaningful part of daily Besar Road in the vicinity of “Little India” professional activities. neighbourhood. Just like many changes Singapore has seen in its regime before gaining To eliminate the appalling health risks coupled its independence in 1965, Singapore Plumbing with shoddy works and unscrupulous methods Society has come a long way from being carried out by many unauthorised fly-by-the- “Singapore Sanitary Contractors” to night unqualified plumbers, SPS operates a “Singapore Institute of Plumbing” in 1971. It free referral service known as “SPS Home was again renamed as “Singapore Plumbing & Plumbing Service” for the general public. Sanitary Association” before it took its present Anyone in need to engage a qualified plumber name. can call SPS and the call will be immediately directed to the nearest plumber. The call is With its aim to uplift the standards of usually attended to within 3 hours and a plumbing services & to ensure quality guarantee of 3 months is offered on the plumbing works are maintained, Singapore repairs carried out. Plumbing Society has been very actively involved with Public Utilities Board (PUB) and The activities of SPS involve conducting has been instrumental in getting many dialogues with government/semi-government standards laid down for the city-state of bodies, seminars, social and networking Singapore. Though the original standards laid gatherings and publications in industry down were as per British Standards, but the newsletters and newspapers. As a matter of collaboration between SPS and PUB has made fact the print media is more than happy to it very dynamic and adept for local conditions. always carry articles from SPS. During my visit, the society had conducted a song-writing They have been involved in offering insight to the PUB on water conservation techniques right from 2006 when the PUB introduced “Voluntary Efficiency Labelling Scheme”. At the same time they have highlighted the perils and hazards of lowering pipe sizing and flow-rates, and signified skill-sets required for plumbers (especially foreign workers), and safety management. At the same time SPS, works hand in hand with industrial (ITE) and educational Figure 1 – The Heritage Building that houses Singapore Plumbing Society Uniquely Singapore | A WPC Scholarship Report P a g e | 4 The Singapore Plumbing Society contest. Of course, the song had to be related 70-year-old retired gentleman could give a to plumbing and the members (including PUB teenager a run for his money. Still wanting to officials) enthusiastically participated. The learn more in plumbing, he is very active