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Design Guidelines

Overview

Developed by PUB, the ABC Waters Design Guidelines provide reference to developers and industry professionals on how to implement environmentally sustainable green features or ABC Waters design features in their developments. This is part of PUB’s effort to get partners from the 3P sectors to jointly work on a common vision of sustainable water management.

The Latest Edition

In 2018, PUB has fine-tuned the guidelines based on the latest research and development findings on ABC Waters design. In addition to new case studies showcasing exemplary projects which adopt the ABC Waters concept, there is a new section on the construction management and maintenance of ABC Waters design features. This new publication was launched by Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and Ministry of Health, Dr Amy Khor on 11 July 2018 in conjunction with the Singapore International Water Week 2018.

This set of reference material aims to better serve the industry’s needs and continue to build up technical expertise in the industry. To view the full document, please download below [PDF]. 

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Water Design Guidelines

The Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features, which forms an integral part of the ABC Waters Design Guidelines, provides detailed guidance on how to design, construct and maintain these features. 

To view the condensed booklet of Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features, please download below [PDF].  

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Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features

The 1st, 2nd & 3rd Edition

The 1st Edition of the ABC Waters Design Guidelines was launched by former Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Amy Khor, on 25 June 2009.

The 2nd Edition was launched by former Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts & Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Ms Grace Fu, on 6 July 2011.

The 3rd Edition was launched by former Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Grace Fu, on 6 June 2014. 

Design Guidelines

PUB has launched a template for ABC Waters Professional to submit the design calculations for vegetated swale, bioretention swale and bioretention basin (also commonly known as rain garden). This template specifies the exact parameters which PUB requires in the review of the DC submissions. This template does not replace the standard design reports and drawings associated with the ABC Waters design features.

Effective 1 June 2022, all DC submissions by Qualified Persons (QP) for vegetated swales, bioretention swales and bioretention basins (also known as rain garden) are to be accompanied with the templates below:

Bioretention Basin
Bioretention Basin_v1.2​.xlsx
Vegetated Swale Vegetated Swale_v1.1.xlsx

Bioretention Swale Bioretention Swale_v1.1.xlsx

Other ABC Waters design features, such as constructed wetlands, soak-away raingardens, cleansing biotopes, etc., not mentioned above are currently not covered by this requirement.