PUB and Grundfos to jointly develop sustainable water technologies
Global pumps leader Grundfos and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of efficient water technologies and solutions.
Signed this week at the 2018 Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), the three-year agreement supports PUB’S mission to ensure a robust and sustainable water supply in Singapore by working together to innovate new solutions in water treatment, water quality monitoring, efficient pump solutions and digital water solutions.
PUB Assistant Chief Executive Future Systems and Technology Harry Seah said, “Water demand is rising across homes and businesses and it is set to double by 2060. To meet this demand efficiently, it is imperative for Singapore to continue investing in research and development to secure our water supply for future generations. We are excited to strengthen our collaboration with Grundfos by sharing our expertise to develop sustainable water treatment solutions together.”
Building on an agreement established in 2014, the MOU signed extends the collaborations between Grundfos and PUB to continue to work together on research and development projects in the areas of water treatment technologies, water quality monitoring technologies and digital water solutions, as well as applications of high efficient pump solutions in water treatment.
Grundfos Regional Managing Director Asia Pacific Kim Jensen said, “This strategic agreement aligns to both PUB and Grundfos’ agenda on developing sustainable water supply solutions. We realise that this collaborative partnership can lead to potential solutions that will support not only Singapore’s efforts in ensuring a sustainable water supply but can become a case study for other countries and cities as well. As a company, Grundfos is firmly committed to becoming a true global role model within water and climate.”
The 2014 agreement saw the development of two water innovation projects – the Cake Filtration project and the BACMON++ project.
Completed last year, the Cake Filtration project was pilot-tested at the Kranji Water Reclamation Plant and explored a new wastewater treatment concept that used sludge generated from the treatment process to filter the wastewater. It offered an alternative solution for wastewater treatment with potentially lower operating costs and lower cost of materials compared to conventional filtration systems but requires further development for use in local treatment processes. Grundfos is currently exploring possible applications of the technology.
The BACMON++ project is aimed at demonstrating and evaluating the operational value of applying Grundfos BACMON sensors in PUB’S water supply system. Grundfos BACMON technology offers online monitoring of total bacteria concentration in near realtime, improving current bacterial monitoring of the water network. Several BACMON sensors will be installed at suitable PUB service reservoirs for further testing. If successful, the BACMON sensors could be applied within PUB’S water supply network to ensure safe water storage and delivery.
The MOU was signed by Harry Seah and Kim Jensen on behalf of the two organisations and witnessed by PUB Chief Executive Ng Joo Hee and Danish Embassy in Singapore Ambassador Dorte Bech Vizard.