The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development began the duty visit in Singapore today (21 March) to study the country's policies and strategies on water resources management.

The delegation met with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources ("MEWR"), and the two statutory boards established under MEWR, namely the Public Utilities Board ("PUB") and the National Environment Agency ("NEA"), at a meeting in the morning.  Delegation members first received a briefing by Mr CHUA Soon Guan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy and Development) of PUB, and Ms NG Mie Ling, Director of Water Policy Division of MEWR, on the policies formulated to provide a reliable and high quality water supply for Singapore.

They were then given an introduction by Mr KOK Tze Weng, Deputy Director of Policy and Planning of PUB, on the integrated approach taken in managing the country's entire water loop and the strategies adopted to encourage water conservation.  Delegation members were also briefed by Dr Pranav JOSHI, Senior Assistant Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene of NEA, on the role of NEA's Drinking Water Unit and the regulatory framework administrated to monitor the quality of piped drinking water.

Learning that reclaimed water and desalinated water can meet up to 30% and 25% of Singapore's total water demand respectively, delegation members had an in-depth discussion with the speakers on the strategies to diversify the sources of water supply and manage water demand. 

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Tuaspring Desalination Plant, which is one of the world's most energy-efficient large-scale desalination plants equipped with a self-sufficient on-site power plant to provide a secure source of electricity supply for seawater desalination.  While touring the plant, delegation members gained a better understanding about its business model, the production processes of desalinated water and the seawater desalination technologies.

Members of the delegation will meet with members of the Government Parliamentary Committees for National Development and the Environment and Water Resources, as well as visiting Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Bedok NEWater Factory to observe Singapore's water resources management facilities tomorrow (22 March). 

Ends/Monday, 21 March 2016
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Members of the delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development take a photo after the meeting with Ms NG Mie Ling (second right on front row), Director of Water Policy Division of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources ("MEWR"); Dr LIM Mong Hoo (first left on front row), Chief Specialist of Water Quality Office of the Public Utilities Board ("PUB"), and other representatives of MEWR, PUB and the National Environment Agency.

Delegation members pose for a photo outside the Environment Building, where they receive a briefing by representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Public Utilities Board and the National Environment Agency.

Hon Tony TSE Wai-chuen (left), delegation leader, presents a souvenir to Mr NG Joo Hee (right), Chief Executive of the Public Utilities Board of Singapore, after a lunch reception hosted by Mr NG.

Members of the delegation pose for a photo at Tuaspring Desalination Plant.

Delegation members receive a briefing from Mr Michael SIEW (right), Senior General Manager of Global Operations and Maintenance of Hyflux, on the water desalination processes and technologies during the visit to Tuaspring Desalination Plant.  Hyflux is responsible for the operation of Tuaspring Desalination Plant.