Massive Singapore Sewer Contract Awarded

PUB, the national water agency of Singapore, has awarded an engineering contract for the upcoming construction of a massive sewer project. Black & Veatch and Aecom are to enter into a joint venture together and provide the necessary engineering services for the project. The construction of the massive stretch of sewer involves over 18 miles (30km) of tunnelling and an outfall of 7.5 miles (12km).
Working alongside PUB, the team will provide extensive engineering services for the Deep Tunnel Sewer System’s (DTSS) second phase. Phase 2 of DTSS will see the tunnel extended into the Western side of the country. This extension involves a tunnel 18.6 miles long, a number of link sewers totalling almost 44 miles (approx. 71km) in length, and a deep sea outfall which is expected to total around 7.5 miles.
The Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) will also be involved in the project. The site will see a water production facility integrated with existing infrastructure, and a waste management facility set up to operate on the same site. The result is that used-water and solid-waste treatments can be coordinated and, on some levels, combined in order to provide maximum efficiency and reduce the energy requirements of these processes.
The huge sewer project is designed to drastically improve the efficiency of Singapore’s sewer system, particularly in terms of physical space. Upon completion of DTS, the amount of land area used up by sewage and used water infrastructure will have been cut by 50% thanks to the project.
Treatment and water reclamation will be efficiently handled at three centralised facilities. Specifically, this will be handled by Kranji WRP in the West of Singapore, Changi WRP in the Eastern part of the country, and Tuas WRP in the South.
Cindy Wallis-Lage, who is president of water business at Black and Veatch, welcomed the awarding of the contract. Wallis-Lage said: “The project’s vision underlines PUB’s innovation and global leadership in sustainable water solutions.” She went on to say that the project would “[set] a new standard in reliable, flexible and energy-efficient infrastructure that promotes water sustainability for the future.” She described the opportunity to team up with Aecom and PUB in order to do this as “a privilege.”
Michael Burke, president and CEO of Aecom, expressed similar sentiments. He said that the joint venture provided a team of “world-class local and global experts.” Summing up Aecom’s feelings at being part of the contract, he said: “We are honoured to be a part of the DTSS project, which will enhance Singapore’s water sustainability and resilience — solidifying its place as a leader in the global water industry.”
The team will begin by conducting a feasibility study and carrying out some preliminary design work, before providing programme management for physical delivery of DTSS Phase 2. Ramboll will be providing additional support to the team during the process.
Author: Matthew Scott