As Singapore is surrounded by sea, PUB has turned seawater into drinking water. And we continue to invest in research and technology to find more efficient ways to desalinate seawater 

Currently, we have three desalination plants with a combined capacity of 130 mgd that can meet up to 30% of Singapore’s current water demand. Two more desalination plants will be ready by 2020.

Desalinated water is expected to meet up to 30% of Singapore’s future water needs by 2060.  

View enlarged version >>

The 1st Desalination Plant

In September 2005, Singapore turned on its Fourth National Tap - Desalinated Water, with the opening of the SingSpring Desalination Plant in Tuas. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hyflux, SingSpring won a bid to construct a desalination plant under PUB’s design, build, own and operate (DBOO) model. This plant with a daily capacity of up to 30 million gallons (130,000 m³) of water supplies PUB with desalination water over a 20-year period. 

SingSpring Desalination Treatment

View enlarged version >>
 

The 2nd Desalination Plant

With a daily capacity of up to 70 million gallons (or 318,500 m³ ) of water, Tuaspring Desalination Plant supplies PUB with desalinated water over a 25-year period.  

Tuaspring Desalination Treatment

View enlarged version >>

Part 1: Intake Screening
As seawater flows into the plant, sediments like seaweed and other large debris are removed via mechanical screens. Chlorine is added to hamper marine growth in pipes and other structures in the system.

Part 2: Pre-treatment (Ultrafiltration)
The ultra-filtration membranes remove impurities, microorganisms and bacteria in water, which can foul the downstream reverse osmosis system.

Part 3: Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a critical step in the desalination of seawater. After removal of impurities and suspended particles, water is pumped through the semi-permeable membranes at high pressure. Only water molecules can pass through the membranes at this stage.

Finally, after reverse osmosis, the water is re-mineralised and stored in PUB's service reservoir before it is distributed to homes.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially opens Tuaspring Desalination Plant, Singapore's second and largest desalination plant. From left: Permanent Secretary (MEWR) Choi Shing Kwok, PUB Chairman Tan Gee Paw, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 2nd Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu, PUB Chief Executive Chew Men Leong, and Hyflux Executive Chairman and Group CEO Olivia Lum.

For latest information on Tuaspring Desalination Plant. Please click here.