Marina Magic

Source : Singapore Public Utilities Board
http://www.pub.gov.sg/annualreport2004/Future_MarinaMagic.html














Outdoor enthusiast Lisa is water-skiing, skimming gracefully across the smooth expanse of water. From the promenade, her friends watch and wave, as they wait for a water-taxi. In the background, a family has just entered an eye-catching building on the waterfront. Mom and Dad head for the café to grab a cuppa, while young Zul eagerly drags Grandpa to an intriguing display of gigantic water-pumps in motion.

Outside, an open-air concert is in full swing as a small crowd claps along. A couple from England takes in the stunning scenery as they stroll hand-in-hand across the water. On one side of the bridge is fresh water, flanked by lush greenery and the Singapore skyline; on the other, sweeping views of the open sea.

The year is 2007. The place: Marina Barrage at Marina Bay. This scenario will be reality when the Marina Barrage is completed. The Marina Barrage is part of a larger vision set out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for Marina Bay to be a city-in-a-garden to live, work and play in. In 2004, PUB awarded the contract for construction of the barrage to Koh Brothers Building and Civil Engineering Contractor Pte Ltd. Construction began on 3 January 2005, and the project is expected to cost $226 million. The barrage was first conceived almost 20 years ago. The arduous ten-year task of cleaning up the Singapore River had just been completed, when Mr Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister, mooted the idea of damming up the Marina Channel.

With the barrage in place, the water within the Marina Basin would turn into freshwater through natural flushing. The resulting body of freshwater would then serve as a reservoir to boost Singapore’s water supply. Because the barrage would allow the water level in the basin to be maintained, it would also help to control flooding of low-lying areas in the city centre, an occasional occurrence when heavy rains coincide with high tides.

TURNING THE TIDE
The sheer scale of the project is huge. Spanning 350 metres, the barrage will comprise nine steel gates. Lowering these will release excess water from the basin into the sea during heavy rains. When high tides concide with heavy rain, seven pumps (each capable of pumping 40 cubic metres of water per second) will swing into action to force water out of the basin and into the sea. This integrated approach will help spare low-lying areas, such as Chinatown, Little India and Rochor, from flooding in future. Provisions also have to be made for boats in the basin to move to and from the open sea even with the barrage in place. They may, for example, need to be sent elsewhere for maintenance and repairs. The solution is a hoist, to lift or lower the vessels from one side of the barrage to the other.

A QUESTION OF QUALITY
Besides the actual mechanics of the barrage, another challenge concerns the quality of water to be collected in the new reservoir. Being in the heart of the city, the reservoir’s 10,000-hectare catchment will be made up of highly urbanised areas. At the time that the barrage was first suggested, the technology for treating water from this urbanised catchment was not available at an affordable cost.

We can now be confident of meeting this challenge. Today’s advanced membrane technology allows the water to be treated to drinking standards. Upstream, measures have also been implemented over the years to minimise water pollution. All rainwater in the catchment area flows into a dedicated network of drains leading to the basin. As Singapore is 100 per cent sewered, the rain collection network is separate from the sewerage system to avoid contamination.

Complementing all the activities on the water will be the Visitor Centre being built next to the barrage. Set in and blending with the surrounding greenery, this distinctive, shell-shaped structure will beckon to those curious about the barrage and showcase Singapore’s efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. In keeping with the theme, the building will be a real-life example of 'green' architecture. It will incorporate points of interest like soothing water features and event spaces too. Besides the exhibits, visitors will be able to take a good look at the powerful barrage pumps. Best of all, they will also have a chance to walk on the barrage itself to savour the sea-breeze and be dazzled by the panoramic views. From there, it will be just a leisurely stroll to the necklace of other attractions at Marina Promenade, Marina East and Singapore’s second Botanic Gardens.










The architecture of the building boasts many features that will help to enhance the visitor’s experience

At the same time, PUB has been working with the 3P (people, public and private) sectors to keep Singapore’s waterways clean. For example, construction companies can minimise silt discharged from their worksites, while members of the public can help by not littering.

THE 3RD DIMENSION
Water supply and flood control – these two aims could clearly be met. But PUB did not stop at two. The Marina Barrage presents a unique opportunity to create a new destination for recreation. And this is where its immediate impact will be most visible to Singaporeans. With its consistent water level, the basin will be an ideal venue for fun activities such as water-skiing and canoeing, in addition to the water-taxis and cruises already plying the bay. And with no more unsightly low tides, the basin will be a beautiful, shimmering backdrop for water-based arts performances, cultural events and sporting competitions. There will be something for everyone to enjoy and a part for everyone to play in keeping the water clean and clear. PUB’s message to Singaporeans is apt – to conserve and value our water even as we enjoy it.








Be dazzled by the Marina Barrage Visitor Centre and Pump Station, day and night.

Complementing all the activities on the water will be the Visitor Centre being built next to the barrage. Set in and blending with the surrounding greenery, this distinctive, shell-shaped structure will beckon to those curious about the barrage and showcase Singapore’s efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. In keeping with the theme, the building will be a real-life example of 'green' architecture. It will incorporate points of interest like soothing water features and event spaces too. Besides the exhibits, visitors will be able to take a good look at the powerful barrage pumps. Best of all, they will also have a chance to walk on the barrage itself to savour the sea-breeze and be dazzled by the panoramic views. From there, it will be just a leisurely stroll to the necklace of other attractions at Marina Promenade, Marina East and Singapore’s second Botanic Gardens.