PM Lee Hsien Loong at the official opening of the Changi Water Reclamation Plant

Your Royal Highness, Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange
Ministers, Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am happy to be here this evening to commission the Changi Water Reclamation Plant. This plant is an integral component of the first phase of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS). The project was conceived in the mid-1990s and it has taken us fifteen years to reach this stage.

Singapore’s Water Journey

Taking a longer perspective, this project is also an important milestone in Singapore’s “water journey” over the last half century. Many may not know or recall how far we have come. Five decades ago, when we achieved self-government, only one-third of our population was served by proper sanitation. The service then depended on a bucket system with a rudimentary network of pumping stations and shallow sewers that led to two treatment works at Kim Chuan and Alexandra.

To prevent water-borne diseases and maintain public hygiene, we progressively introduced proper treatment of used water and improved access to modern sanitation. Through the 1960s and 1970s, we expanded the sewerage system, funded with the help of loans from the World Bank. It was only in 1997 that we completed the long process, and brought modern sanitation to every Singaporean.

As our population grew, simply expanding the system of pumping stations and water reclamation plants would have taken up too much valuable land, at too high an opportunity cost. The DTSS is a creative solution to this problem. To be developed in two phases, it will channel all used water through deep tunnels to two large water reclamation plants, one at each end of the island. This will free up land occupied by the existing used water plants and pumping stations, as well as the buffer land surrounding them. In total, close to 1,000 hectares of land, or roughly three times the size of Singapore’s Central Business District, will be released for development.

The benefits go beyond improving land use. The treated used water from the Changi Water Reclamation Plant is a vital feedstock for large scale production of NEWater. Singapore’s fifth and largest NEWater plant is currently being built on the rooftop of the Water Reclamation Plant. Together with existing plants, we will have enough NEWater capacity to meet one-third of our water needs by 2010. By allowing every drop of used water to be collected, treated and further purified into NEWater, the DTSS ensures an adequate supply of water for Singapo reans for many years to come.

Towards Sustainable Development

This project is part of our overall strategy for sustainable development. Our basic attitude has been that environmental sustainability is not incompatible with economic development. We have systematically and resolutely tackled used water and other issues faced by cities all over the world. Over half a century, our population has tripled – from 1.6 million in 1959 to 4.8 million today. But far from degrading our environment, we have improved it. Singapore has become a clean and green city with a high quality living environment. Singaporeans enjoy fresh air, clean water and good public health, and almost half the island is covered with greenery, parks and nature areas.

The challenge is to sustain our environment as our city grows and gets denser. To do so, we must take the long view, prepare well ahead and align our efforts across the whole government.

Therefore, last year we set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development, to develop a national framework for Singapore. The Committee made its recommendations in a Sustainable Singapore Blueprint in April this year. The Blueprint outlines four key thrusts: to improve resource efficiency, enhance our physical environment, develop environmental capabilities and foster community action. Through these strategies, we hope to keep Singapore as a lively and liveable city, one that our people are proud to call home.

The fourth thrust – community action – is especially important, because we need everyone to play an active role. I am glad Singaporeans took an active interest in developing our Blueprint, and came forward with many ideas and suggestions to improve our living environment. I hope Singaporeans will continue to contribute. Achieving sustainable development will call for each one of us to make an effort, to give our ideas and to adjust our lifestyles. Our Blueprint is meant to be an evolving and living concept. As we understand the sustainability challenge better, and as technology improves, we will continue to test out new solutions and push for higher standards.

Sharing Ideas on Sustainable Development

We are also keen to promote an international exchange of ideas. To break new ground in sustainable development, cities will require a combination of far-sighted planning, sustained investment in infrastructure and breakthroughs in technology. We are not alone in facing these challenges, nor do we enjoy a monopoly of ideas. We therefore can all benefit from sharing our ideas and innovations. The Singapore International Water Week is a platform to facilitate such exchanges.

Last year, we introduced the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize to recognize and showcase efforts to solve the world’s water problems. This year, we have decided to go beyond water to include other urban solutions. Hence, we launched the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize to recognize urban initiatives that display foresight, good governance or innovation. We hope these prizes will encourage the best-in-field to apply themselves to address our common challenges.

Conclusion

Singapore’s experience shows that cities can overcome environ mental and developmental challenges by setting long term goals and working consistently towards them. The DTSS is an example. Over the last fifteen years, we pressed on with the project despite economic downturns and the SARS crisis. I commend and congratulate the PUB engineers, consultants, contractors, workers and other project partners for a job well done. Your dedication, hard work and meticulous planning saw through the successful completion of this vital project.

It is now my pleasure to declare the Changi Water Reclamation Plant open.