Marina Barrage, An Engineering Feat, Finally Opens

Source : The Business Times, November 1, 2008

AFTER decades of planning and years of design and construction, the Marina Barrage was finally opened yesterday.

WAVE WATCHING
Due to poor soil conditions, piling at the site is one of the deepest in Singapore. The pivot blocks supporting the 70-tonne crest gates had to be positioned to within an accuracy of 2 millimetres

Marking an important milestone in Singapore's water story, the barrage creates a reservoir that collects rainwater from the largest catchment in Singapore in the most densely built up part of the island. The water collected can then be treated to drinking water standards using advance membrane technology. It can also check flooding in the city through its 5-metre high crest gates controlled by computers.

At the opening ceremony yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called the project an engineering feat. Due to poor soil conditions, piling at the site is one of the deepest in Singapore. The pivot blocks supporting the 70-tonne crest gates had to be positioned to within an accuracy of 2 millimetres.

While lauding Singapore's effective water management, he also called for Singaporeans to take ownership of the environment. He said that Singaporeans have to share the passion to keep the environment clean and green if the island is to maintain its sustainable living state.