The end of the semester is coming up, and as I draw my blog to a close, I suppose it is fitting to discuss the cutting-edge of water treatment techniques in Singapore.
Innovation in Water Singapore Volume 11 by PUB. Source: https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Issue%2011_Innovation%20in%20Water,%20Singapore_Full%20PDF.pdf
Innovation in Water Singapore is a yearly publication by PUB that highlights research and developments in water treatment technology that I would recommend you check out!
The 2018 and 2019 issues both featured algal blooming as a subject of concern and for good reason. Even without considering excessive nutrient loading from industries, a warming urban environment (Roth & Chow, 2012) still makes freshwater bodies an inviting place for algae to proliferate (Lai, Chua, Chan, 2018). One of our national taps source water from these water bodies; and the presence of algal blooms clog up NEWater’s signature reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, adding to RO’s already high energy usage and membrane maintenance (Ooi et al., 2019). I don’t think murky green waterways littered with dead fish (Ooi et al., 2019) would be very appealing, wouldn’t you agree?
Algal blooming at Kraji Reservoir. Photo by an ST reader Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/algae-at-kranji-reservoir-turns-waters-a-murky-green-pub-says-no-cause-for
In our discussions of eutrophication, treatment measures for algal blooms mostly revolved around reductions in nutrient loading. Alternatively, the 2018 issue showcased ultrasonic disinfection, where a pilot study was conducted on the Serangoon Reservoir (Lai et al., 2018). Its principle of operation is the exciting part: where cavitation bubbles form and implode, creating an environment where water decomposes and forms biocidal hydroxyl radicals that eliminate algal cells (Joyce, Wu, & Mason, 2010).
Operating like a floating fish tank filter, closed water systems like a catchment could conceivably be protected from algal blooms (Lai et al, 2018). Conversely, it would be a lost cause in open waters where desalination plants draw seawater from. Ultimately, the best solution lies in managing the growth factors of algae: nutrients and warmth. That would mean dealing with warming seas, urban heating, and anthropogenic nutrient inputs: each is a tall order in their own right.
Concerning last week’s post, PUB’s 2017 issue indicates that they already dabbled into Membrane Contactor technology! If you have not read last week’s post, Membrane Contactors are one of many liquid-phase extraction technologies, which also encompasses RO. In particular, Membrane Contactors offer opportunities for resource recovery: in this case, the recovery of methane from anaerobic bioreactors (Wang, Bae, 2017). Unlike VOC recovery which features a liquid extractor, either the property of pressure gradient force on gases is exploited by using a vacuum, or carrier gas(es) with high affinity for biogas are utilized.
This adds on to Ryan’s comment about political will for the implementation of such technologies in Singapore. The realisation hit me that there is a strong political will for the implementation of novel and critical technologies in wastewater treatment; just not in the places that need it the most! If this project tenure was awarded to point-source emitters of high-VOC wastewaters, widespread industrial adoption of wastewater resource-recovery and treatment technologies could have begun years ago!
Could the 2017 ECOSWM fire have been avoided with PUB’s research involvement? Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tuas-plant-fire-eco-special-waste-management-fined-mom-11848164
While it is invigorating to know that such technological advancements are taking place, the reach of Singapore’s political will is not yet enough to provide holistic solutions to our water problems. We already have the research, now its time to implement them where they are needed.
References
Joyce, E. M., Wu, X., & Mason, T. J. (2010). Effect of ultrasonic frequency and power on algae suspensions. Journal of Environmental Science and Health – Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934521003709065
Lai C. L., Chua C. Y. , Chan W. S. (2018). Managing microalgae growth with ultra-low frequency technology. Innovation in Water Singapore, Vol 10, 27. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Innovation_in_Water_Singapore_Vol10.pdf
Ooi S. K., Babovic V., Navarro L. M., Yim S. S. P., Wang M. Y. | NUS; Xia L. J., Gao R. M., Sim M., Mahadevan A. | PUB;
Tay S. H. X. | H2i (formerly NUS) (2019). An algal proliferation prediction system for Singapore’s coastal waters. Innovation in Water Singapore, Vol 11, 40. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Issue%2011_Innovation%20in%20Water,%20Singapore_Full%20PDF.pdf
Roth, M., & Chow, W. T. L. (2012). A historical review and assessment of urban heat island research in Singapore. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12003
Wang R., Bae T. H., Y. Zhang (2017). Maximising biogas recovery for used water treatment. Innovation in Water Singapore, Vol 9, 27. Retrieved from https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/PUB_InnovationinWater_Issue9.pdf
Hi Samuel!
I remember watching a video on the channel Veritasium on youtube, where Derek Muller featured black balls that they filled the surface of the reservoirs with to prevent formation of certain carcinogen chemicals— and to also prevent such algae blooms as sunlight does not pass through! Have you seen these before, and do you think this will be feasible to be implemented into Singapore?
Thanks for the question!
Shade Balls huh? You’re right about those benefits! However, Singapore’s water catchments are under the Active, Beautiful, and Clean (ABC) programme, and almost every catchment is home to wildlife. In particular, urban water systems are their own unique habitat that I believe Prof Darren shared about. The Veritasium video mentioned how these Shade Balls completely stopped birds from inhabiting the lake, which is great for that Los Angeles lake is solely for supplying raw water to industries without additional water treatment.
However, these Shade Balls directly contradict the “Active” and “Beautiful”(depends on your aesthetic preferences I suppose) component of the ABC programme given how difficult it is for a motorised boat to navigate the lake! On top of that, aquatic ecosystems that rely on the sunlight would completely shut down from the bottom up. In turn, terrestrial and avian species that rely on aquatic systems for food would also be displaced. I mean, you can’t expect a kingfisher to dive head-first into a lake full of Shade Balls right?
In addition, water from our catchments is not supplied directly to our taps. Instead, they go through treatment, which involves Reverse Osmosis, gravity filtration through layers of substrates like sand, and/or biologically activated carbon to remove any potential carcinogenic bromate ions; and/or ammonia that removes free chlorine before it has a chance to form bromate ions if exposed to sunlight.
Also, Shade Balls are completely incompatible with the open waters surrounding Singapore, so let’s keep that out of the discussion.
I can’t think of many places in Singapore where a “dead” lake would be of any use, perhaps Pulau Semakau Phase II? I think Shade Balls are too extreme of a solution for Singapore’s inland water bodies where the benefits would be completely outweighed by the setbacks given Singapore’s circumstances.
What’s more important is the reduction of nutrient loads of water being supplied to our water bodies. This requires active monitoring of water quality throughout our canals, waterways and catchments as well as quarantine systems all of which can be found in Innovations in Water!
Hope that answers your question!
Samuel
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