Contents
Discover Lower Seletar Reservoir 1
Introduction 2
Our Water Story 2
Reservoirs in Singapore 3
Navigate Lower Seletar Reservoir 4
ABC Waters Programme 5
A Walk Down History 7
The Water Cycle and Journey of Water from Lower Seletar Reservoir 9
Water Quality Testing 10
Keeping Lower Seletar Reservoir Active, Beautiful and Clean 12
ABC Waters Design Features 14
Animals at Lower Seletar Reservoir 17
Your Reflections 18
Extended Activity - Line Debating 19
NEWater Visitor Centre 20
Marina Barrage 20
Copyright © PUB, Singapore’s national water agency 2013. Revised 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publishers.
For more information, please visit us at www.pub.gov.sg/getinvolved. Discover Lower Seletar Reservoir
Come to Lower Seletar Reservoir and learn more about the Singapore Water Story. Discover how our small city-state, which used to face challenges such as droughts and pollution, has transformed into a global hydrohub and vibrant City of Gardens and Water. Water sustainability is crucial to Singapore’s success. Singapore has ensured a robust and sustainable supply of water capable of catering to the country’s continued growth through the Four National Taps. The four taps or sources of water are water from local catchment, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. One of PUB’s long-term initiatives is the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme, which will see the transformation of our network of drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes that are well integrated with surrounding parks and green space, bringing people closer to nature. ABC Waters at Lower Seletar Reservoir was opened in June 2010. It now boasts a Family and Rowers’ Bay, creating a new focal point for residents in the area. At Family Bay, the public can enjoy performances at the multi-purpose stage and have fun playing at the water play area. Rowers’ Bay, on the other hand, leverages on the open 2 km long channel of water, to provide a venue for competitive rowing events. Inspired by the reservoir’s rich history of kelongs, jetties and fishing boats, a heritage deck spanning the reservoir offers scenic views of the water and nature reserve. We hope to make Lower Seletar Reservoir a meaningful place for outdoor learning. As you learn about our waters and the diversity of life it supports, we hope you will cherish and take care of our precious water resource.
PUB, the national water agency
1 Introduction Water from local catchment is a pillar of Singapore’s water sustainability strategy, along with imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. Today, we will explore Lower Seletar Reservoir to discover the following themes:
ABC Waters Water Sustainability Learning Trail Lower Seletar and the at Lower Reservoir - Four National Seletar Past and Taps Reservoir Present
Concept of ABC Waters Water Quality Programme and and ABC Waters Biodiversity Design Features
Our W a te r S to ry By investing in water technology and adopting an integrated approach to water management over the last 50 years, Singapore has developed a diversified and sustainable water supply system known as the Four National Taps.
Local Catchment Water Rainwater is collected through a comprehensive network of drains, canals, Imported Water rivers and stormwater collection ponds Singapore imports water from Johor, and reservoirs before it is treated for Malaysia.The 1962 water agreement our drinking water supply. Used will expire in 2061. water is collected through a separate system.
Our Four National Taps
Desalinated Water NEWater Singapore has one of Asia’s largest NEWater is high-grade reclaimed water. seawater reverse osmosis desalination Used water is treated, then further purified plants, producing 30 million gallons of water using advanced membrane technologies, a day. Singapore’s second desalination, making the water ultra-clean Tuaspring has officially opened in September and safe to drink. 2013, can produce 70 million gallons of water a day.
2 Reservoirs in Singapore There are currently 17 reservoirs, 32 major rivers and more than 7,000 km of canals and drains. Lower Seletar Reservoir was formed by building a dam across Sungei Seletar. Rainwater that falls in parts of Yishun and Ang Mo Kio towns is channelled to the Lower Seletar Reservoir through the network of drains and canals.
Upper Seletar Lower Seletar Kranji Punggol Pulau Tekong Sarimbun Serangoon Murai
Poyan
Tengeh Upper Lower Peirce Peirce
Jurong MacRitchie Lake Pandan Bedok
Marina
1. Which of the Four National Taps does Lower Seletar Reservoir belong to?
2. How much of the total land area in Singapore forms our water catchment today?
3. Name the reservoir that is closest to your school. What are some of the activities your school does to help take care of our waters at this location?
3 Navigate Lower Seletar Reservoir Look at the map and study what surrounds Lower Seletar Reservoir, and where the checkpoints of this trail are.
PA WATER VENTURE
5i
5ii
YISHUN STADIUM
N
Heritage Deck - Heritage Panels
Heritage Deck - Viewing Gallery
Fishing Jetty
Litter Trap
5i Rain Garden
5ii Bioretention Swales
4 ABC W a te rs Pro g ra m m e GREEN (ecology) The ABC Waters Programme aims to integrate Singapore’s parks (green), reservoirs and waterways (blue) and the community (orange). The use of ABC Waters design features such as rain gardens and bioretention swales, help to keep our waters clean. These features are sustainable natural systems which detain and treat rainwater on urban site before allowing the water to flow naturally into the environment reservoirs. The features also form ecological habitats that benefit from the proximity to water sources. New community spaces are created allowing people to get closer to water. BLUE ORANGE (hydrology) (community) How has the ABC Waters Programme by PUB benefited students and the community in this area?
Design a Postcard Design a picturesque postcard for your blog or a friend overseas.
With your camera, capture as many scenes as possible that will depict any aspect of the ABC Waters features at Lower Seletar Reservoir with yourself or with friends in the postcard. At the back of your postcard, write a brief description of the beauty of the place and what you would like to share about this place. Here is a sample:
Hi Adam,
I went to Lower Seletar Reservoir over the weekend. It is such a 11, Katong Avenue wonderful place to relax and enjoy Singapore 438007 activities by, on and in the water!
Sincerely, Rick
5 Be Inspired By Nature Brainstorm words that illustrate the concepts of “Active”, Beautiful” and “Clean”.
ACTIVE BEAUTIFUL CLEAN
e.g. kayaking scenic unpolluted
More Activities Write a poem entitled ‘An Ode To Lower Seletar’ after the programme. Highlight the beauty of Lower Seletar Reservoir, your feelings and thoughts.
What activity in the past does the Heritage Deck’s structure remind you of?
Why is this built to resemble the past activity at Lower Seletar Reservoir?
6 Find out about the history of Lower Seletar Reservoir from the panels on the Heritage Deck and complete the speech bubble in the comic strip. A Blast to the Past
1920 To support Singapore’s increasing population and industralisation, a third It is reservoir following MacRitchie and which means Peirce Reservoirs had to be built to meet growing water needs. This became known as Seletar Reservoir. 1969 As a result of expansion in 1940 and 1967 respectively, Seletar Reservoir’s capacity was greatly increased and became Singapore’s largest reservoir then. It was also a popular leisure spot. 1986 To further ensure it could hold sufficient water, a dam was constructed across r ou know some of the earlie the mouth of Seletar River to collect Do y rainwater from the upstream areas. names for Seletar? This became known as Sungei Seletar Reservoir. 1992 Seletar Reservoir was renamed Upper Row ro w row your boats gently down Seletar Reservoir, while Sungei Seletar Seletar River. We trade for Reservoir was renamed Lower Seletar Reservoir. 2004 To recognise water as a shared resource, the reservoirs, including Lower Seletar Reservoir, were opened for water activities. 2006 The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme was launched with the aim of turning Singapore into a city of Gardens and Waters. 2010: The makeover of Lower Seletar Reservoir under the ABC Waters Programme has been completed.
y Hi! I am Tan Ah Beng. This is m you plantation. What crop do think I grow?
Singapore must be self-reliant. We need to find our own way to survive and prosper, turning challenges into opportunities. With no natural aquifers or lakes and little land to collect rainwater, we create reservoirs by damming our major rivers.
7 Past and Present The heritage panels describe the activities, transportation and environment of Seletar in the past. What is similar and different today?
What are the similarities?
Optional: Take photos to show the What are the differences? changed environment today.
PAST PRESENT
Physical Environment
Activities
Transportation
Why do you think changes have taken place? Discuss with your group.
8 The Water Cycle and Journey of
Water from Lower Seletar Reservoir We cannot live without water. The water cycle is critical because it ensures the availability of water for living things and the maintenance of ecosystems. Although over 70% of the Earth is covered with water, only 2.5% of this water is freshwater. The continuous flow of freshwater that we use is a result of the water cycle also known as the hydrological cycle. Earth’s water keeps changing from liquid water to vapour and then back again. This cycle happens because of the sun’s heat and gravity. Where does the water in the reservoir go?
Clouds CONDENSATION
Rainwater that falls in parts of Yishun and Ang Mo Kio towns is Rain channelled to the Lower Seletar Reservoir through drains and canals.
Urban Areas TRANSPIRATION EVAPORATION TRANSPIRATION PRECIPITATION
Rainwater surface Trees runoff flows into the drains which leads to the reservoir.
Rainwater surface runoff water flows into the reservoir.
Groundwater Lower Seletar Pumping Station Flow The Lower Seletar Pumping Station pumps Lower Seletar water from Lower Seletar Reservoir to Reservoir another reservoir for storage before it is treated.
Taps Homes Water Treatment Plant Schools and Water is treated and disinfected in the water Public Buildings treatment plant before distribution to homes, schools, offices and industries for our daily use.
Industries
We can get water easily just by turning on our taps. But we should also use this precious resource wisely. Today, Singapore has managed to reduce domestic water consumption to 151 litres per person per day. That is equivalent to about 101 x 1.5-litre bottles. Practise good water saving habits to save water at home and in school!
9 W a te r Q u a l i ty T e s ti n g Good water quality is essential for living things to thrive. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to the health of ecosystems. Collect some water at two different locations of Lower Seletar Reservoir and test for the following parameters. Record your readings and observations in the space below.
SIGNIFICANCE DEBRIS Observe and smell the water. This can give you basic information about water quality. On its own, water does not have any smell. The smell of the collected water can give AND SMELL you a rough indication of pollution sources. OBSERVATION What can you see: ANALYSIS In the water: On the water surface:
What can you smell:
SIGNIFICANCE The colour of the water can give some clues as to what may be in the water. There may be dissolved COLOUR pollutants or bacteria. Coloured water, however, does not necessarily mean the water is polluted.
OBSERVATION ANALYSIS Location 1 2 Turbid or murky brown – soil particles in water, resuspension from the bottom or banks of the reservoir. Brown or dark brown – brown pigments from leaves called tannins are dissolved in the water. Green – algae suspended in water – indicates an algal bloom, usually caused by high nutrients in the water, fertilisers or organic matter. Turbid or murky grey or black.
Others
SIGNIFICANCE Turbidity is the level of “murkiness” of the water. It refers to the amount of particles such as TURBIDITY soil, sediments, algae or organic matter that are suspended in the water. Turbidity affects the amount of light that can penetrate through the water, which determines the amount of light reaching the different depths of the reservoir. This in turn has an effect on aquatic plant life. OBSERVATION ANALYSIS Which is the faintest number you can see on the turbidity disc? Location 1 1 2 3 4 5 Location 2 1 2 3 4 5 10 SIGNIFICANCE The temperature of the water will vary with the weather and time of sampling. The temperature TEMPERATURE of water in the reservoir could range between 20 - 30oC which affects the amount of dissolved oxygen. The temperature is higher nearer the surface of the water and lowest near the bottom of a water body.
READING ANALYSIS
The temperature of the water is: o C o C
SIGNIFICANCE This refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water, at a given DISSOLVED temperature and atmospheric pressure. It can be measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). The minimum amount of dissolved oxygen needed to sustain OXYGEN fish life is about 4mg/l. READING ANALYSIS
SIGNIFICANCE
pH
Battery acidSulfuric acidLemon juice,Orange Vinegar juice, SodaAcidic lakeBananas (4.5)Rain (5.0 (5.6) - Healthy5.3) Milk Reservoir (6.5 - 6.8) (6.5Sea - 8.2) water,Baking Eggs sodaMilk of MagnesiaAmmonia Soapy waterBleach Liquid drain cleaner Acid rain (4.2 - 4.4) pH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Most fishes die Most fishes die 5 - 9 Tolerable range for most fishes Acidic Basic Neutral
READING ANALYSIS The pH of the water is: ,
CONCLUSION: Where does the water in Lower Seletar Reservoir Can you drink the water come from? How do these parameters affect Overall quality of water from this reservoir? Why? the water quality in the reservoir?
What are the limitations of this water quality testing activity?
Other Properties of Water: 11 Keeping Lower Seletar Reservoir
Active, Beautiful and Clean Two-thirds of Singapore is now water catchment. What this means is that rain falling on two-thirds of our land area is used to supply water for Singapore. Water from drains, ponds and canals in your housing estate are channelled into the reservoirs. We need to do our part to keep our water bodies as clean as we can. What activities at Lower Seletar Reservoir can affect the quality of water in the reservoir?
How this activity affects Activity the water quality
Go to the canal near the wooden bridge. Locate the exit of this canal facing the jetty. Where does the water come from?
Did you know? It is everyone’s responsibility to care for and protect public facilities.
Speak out against vandalism!
12 Observe the litter trap in the canal.
1. What is its function?
2. Why is it placed here at the mouth of the canal?
3. Name at least four trapped pollutants in the litter trap. Identify their source. State the impact on the water.
Pollutant Source Impact
13 ABC W a te rs Design F e a tu re s
The Rain Garden Also called bioretention basin, the rain garden here collects, detains and treats rainwater runoff that flows from the park. The filtered rainwater is then further treated and reused in the water play area and wading stream. Approximately 80m2 in size, the rain garden not only enhances the quality of rainwater runoff, but also promotes biodiversity. About 10 species of plants have been planted here.
DETENTION ELEMENT SEDIMENTATION FILTRATION BIOLOGICAL UPTAKE
This is what the cross-section of the rain garden looks like:
Extended detention zone Functional vegetation supports nutrient Overflow pit increases volume of stormwater removal and maintains porosity of soil that is captured and treated Non-perforated stand pipe with cap or drainage cleanout
0.1 - 0.2m Extended detention
0.3 - 0.6m Filter media (sandy loam)
0.1m Transition layer (washed coarse sand) 0.2m Drainage layer (fine gravel)
Treated water and overflow Geotextile liner Corrugated perforated pipe leading to waterway
14 Read the information on the sign about the rain garden.
In your own words answer these questions:
1. The rain garden is a habitat for insects and birds. Which of these can you spot here?
2. You have learnt about water pollution and that excess use of fertilisers will cause algae bloom. How can rain gardens prevent these environmental issues?
15 Bioretention Swales Vegetated swales or depressed stretches of land with bioretention systems are also employed at Lower Seletar Reservoir. Located at the carpark, the bioretention swales serve to treat rainwater runoff from paved areas in the carpark before the cleansed water is channelled to the reservoir.
CONVEYANCE DETENTION ELEMENT SEDIMENTATION FILTRATION BIOLOGICAL ELEMENT UPTAKE
This is what the cross-section of the bioretention swale looks like:
Fall
Filter media (sandy loam) Transition layer (course sand) Drainage layer (fine gravel) Perforated pipe
What are the benefits of rain gardens and bioretention swales? • Reduce flow velocities • Encourage habitat creation and promote biodiversity • Beautify surrounding landscape • Water is filtered and cleansed naturally without the use of any chemicals
16 Animals at L;ower Seletar Reservoir The reservoir is home to many animals. What animals have you observed so far? Tick those you have spotted.
Little Heron Collared Kingfisher Malayan Water Monitor Lizard
White-breasted Giant Snakehead Water Hen
White-barred Duskhawk Wandering Glider Tilapia Dragonfly
Day-flying Moth Grey Pansy Butterfly Red-eared Slider 17 Your R e f l e c ti o n s Take a look at what you have learnt on this trail and share with us how you can play your part for water.
What do you know about the ABC Waters Programme?
Singapore’s vision is to transform Singapore into a city of Gardens and Water.
What have you observed here about the reality of this vision?
How can you encourage visitors to care for Lower Seletar Reservoir and other water bodies?
18 E x te n d e d A c ti v i ty - Line D e b a ti n g Line debating is a free style of debating without the conventional position which speakers are given. It is quick, exciting and done without a prepared written script. A team of supporters are there to help speakers with the points.
Topic Statement: PUB’s ABC Waters Programme has provided schools and the community with beautiful sites for learning and relaxation. Schools and students need not do more. The place will thrive naturally and be well-maintained.
How to conduct the line debate: 1. Divide the class into two teams for the above activity. 2. Draw lots to determine whether the team is for (proposition team) or against (opposition team) the motion. 3. Each team chooses 5 of their most eloquent speakers to represent them in debating their side of the motion. 4. The 5 chosen debaters from both teams will then stand in a line facing each other, with sufficient space for some expected vigorous movements. 5. This is a free style of debating and any speaker from each team can take to the floor to rebut when it is the team’s turn to do so. 6. The debate will start with the proposition and then followed by the opposition, and the debate continues in that order. 7. Each speaker will only be given 1-minute time to speak and a 30-second waiting time to rebut. 8. A bell will ring to signal the end of the waiting time and the team will lose the opportunity, if no speaker steps forward to rebut. 9. Any points given after the 1-minute bell has sounded will not be taken into consideration. 10. An important rule to observe – debate using standard spoken English.
Supporters’ role: You need to be just as alert to help your team on the sideline. Scribble any points of rebuttal on given pieces of paper to be handed to your speakers through an appointed messenger.
Have fun!
19 NEWater V i s i to r C e n tre Can we use each drop of water more than once? Yes! Singapore’s an- swer to that question is NEWater. As one of the Four National Taps that ensures a diversified and sustainable water supply for Singapore, NE- Water is treated used water that is further purified. Is water that is used before drinkable? How does reverse osmosis create ‘new’ water? Why do we need to recycle water this way? Visit the NEWater Visitor Centre to find out more. You will be edu-tained by multimedia presentations and games, and witness the operation of advanced technologies in the production of NEWater.
For more information, visit www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater
M a ri n a B a rra g e Marina Reservoir is Singapore’s first reservoir built in this millennium, bringing to fruition former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s 20-year vision to dam the Marina Channel to create a freshwater lake. The project materialised around the time PUB had made a paradigm shift in water management, calling on the public to look at water as a shared resource and to develop a joint ownership of our blue spaces. This new-age reservoir, formed by building Marina Barrage across the mouth of the Marina Channel, therefore fulfils more than its promised triple benefits of water supply, flood control and lifestyle activities.
By integrating its core functions together with features designed to attract the public, Marina Barrage helps to advance PUB’s strategic objective to bring people closer to water. Its unique open concept is rare for public infrastructure and is a reflection of PUB’s new approach in water management. There are no gates or fenced-up areas. The public can wander around the open grounds and learn about the Singapore Water Story.
For more information, visit www.pub.gov.sg/marinabarrage
20 Acknowledgement
Anglican High School PUB, Singapore’s national water agency PUB is the national water agency that manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water network in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006.
About PUB’s Friends of Water Initiative Friends of Water aims to recognise, inspire and encourage community stewardship of the nation’s water resources. If you care for water and take positive actions for the water cause, you can be recognised as a Friend of Water. Any individual or organisation can be a Friend of Water by taking part in PUB’s events and programmmes, adopting a water space or starting your own water activity to educate others.
www.pub.gov.sg/getinvolved