Singapore and Queensland have agreed to collaborate on new research and development on water recycling, desalination and urban water management, Water Minister Craig Wallace announced today.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Singapore and Queensland have agreed to collaborate on new research and development on water recycling, desalination and urban water management, Water Minister Craig Wallace announced today.
Mr Wallace said Singapore’s Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, and he had agreed to collaborate on water issues after talks in Singapore.
Mr Wallace last week represented Queensland at the inaugural Desalination and Water Reuse Leadership Summit in Singapore.
The summit was attended by water experts from 17 countries, many of which are facing the same water and climate change challenges as Queensland.
“This is about the SmartState and the IslandState sharing water ideas and innovations,” Mr Wallace said.
“Singapore has shown leadership and made great progress with water recycling, desalination and urban water management,” he said.
“On behalf of Queensland, I thank Dr Ibrahim for giving an in-principle agreement to collaborate on new research and development.
“I look forward to the Department of Natural Resources and Water working closely with Singapore’s Public Utilities Board to move forward in this partnership.”
Areas for future cooperation may include:
·Emerging technologies for water recycling and desalination
·Real time monitoring and testing through the water cycle,
·Leakage detection and loss management strategies,
·Climate change impacts on water supplies.
Mr Wallace said purified recycled water of the type proposed for south-east Queensland had been accepted by Singapore as a safe and secure water source.
“This is due to the extensive amount of research and science invested by Singapore in state-of-the-art water technology,” Mr Wallace said.
Singapore has world-class water facilities such as the NEWater recycling facility, SingSpring Desalination Plant and the Changi Water Reclamation Plant.
“Lessons learned in establishing these facilities, which meet the highest environmental and economic standards, could be of use in Queensland,” Mr Wallace said.
Queensland was recognised throughout the Singapore Summit for its diversified approach to water supply - combining new water infrastructure with water recycling, desalination and reduction in water demands.
Several presentations by global water experts spoke about Queensland’s leading edge work, including the Western Corridor and Gold Coast desalination projects and in water management generally.
Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.
Related Content
Release Date
This story was released on 2007-04-18. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.