Marina barrage

1. MARINA BARRAGEMARINA BARRAGE
Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina
Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the
heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or
one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the
island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two
other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s
water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country’s land water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country’s land
area. The Marina Barrage is the result of Minister Mentor Lee area. The Marina Barrage is the result of Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew’s vision nearly two decades ago when he envisaged Kuan Yew’s vision nearly two decades ago when he envisaged
damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater
reservoir.reservoir.

2. WATER SUPPLYWATER SUPPLY
•The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350-metre wide Marina The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350-metre wide Marina
Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore's first reservoir in Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore's first reservoir in
the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the
future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore's future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore's
water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land
areas. areas. 
On 20 November 2010, the Marina Reservoir was commissioned by On 20 November 2010, the Marina Reservoir was commissioned by
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as a freshwater reservoir, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as a freshwater reservoir,
augmenting Singapore’s water supply for generations to come. augmenting Singapore’s water supply for generations to come.
Desalting had begun in April 2009 through natural replacement by Desalting had begun in April 2009 through natural replacement by
rainwater. rainwater. 
Local catchment water is one of the Four National Taps, with the Local catchment water is one of the Four National Taps, with the
other three being imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. other three being imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. 
As one of the pillars of local water supply, Marina Reservoir will As one of the pillars of local water supply, Marina Reservoir will
meet more than 10% of Singapore's current water demand. meet more than 10% of Singapore's current water demand. 

3. FLOOD CONTROLFLOOD CONTROL
•The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood
control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying
areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan
Besar and Geylang. Besar and Geylang.
During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the
dam will be activated to release excess storm water into dam will be activated to release excess storm water into
the sea when the tide is low. the sea when the tide is low.
In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable
of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute
will drain excess storm water into the sea. will drain excess storm water into the sea.

4. Lifestyle AttractionLifestyle Attraction
As the water in the Marina Basin isAs the water in the Marina Basin is
unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year
round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as
boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragonboating etc. boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragonboating etc.

5. A Showcase for Environmental A Showcase for Environmental
SustainabilitySustainability
•Marina Barrage is a showpiece of environmental sustainability, Marina Barrage is a showpiece of environmental sustainability,
and won the Green Mark Platinum Infrastructure Award, the top and won the Green Mark Platinum Infrastructure Award, the top
award at the BCA Awards organised by the Building and award at the BCA Awards organised by the Building and
Construction Authority in May 2009. Construction Authority in May 2009.
Green principles were applied in all aspects of the design, Green principles were applied in all aspects of the design,
construction and operation of the barrage, to utilise energy and construction and operation of the barrage, to utilise energy and
water efficiently and to minimise waste generated. water efficiently and to minimise waste generated.

6. First reservoir in the city comes aliveFirst reservoir in the city comes alive
•
The Marina Reservoir is now ready to be used as a freshwater The Marina Reservoir is now ready to be used as a freshwater
reservoir, augmenting Singapore’s water supply for generations to reservoir, augmenting Singapore’s water supply for generations to
come. The Marina Reservoir can meet about 10% of Singapore’s come. The Marina Reservoir can meet about 10% of Singapore’s
water needs. Desalting had begun in April 2009 through natural water needs. Desalting had begun in April 2009 through natural
replacement by rainwater. replacement by rainwater.
Water from local catchments is a pillar of Singapore’s water Water from local catchments is a pillar of Singapore’s water
sustainability strategy, along with imported water, ultra-clean, high-sustainability strategy, along with imported water, ultra-clean, high-
grade reclaimed water branded as NEWater in Singapore, and grade reclaimed water branded as NEWater in Singapore, and
desalinated water. Collectively, these four sources of water are desalinated water. Collectively, these four sources of water are
known as the 'Four National Taps', a long-term water supply known as the 'Four National Taps', a long-term water supply
strategy to ensure a diversified and sustainable water supply for strategy to ensure a diversified and sustainable water supply for
Singapore in the years to come. Singapore in the years to come.

7. Urban stormwater collectionUrban stormwater collection
•Marina Barrage has been PUB's most challenging reservoir project Marina Barrage has been PUB's most challenging reservoir project
to date as it is fed by five rivers that run through the heart of to date as it is fed by five rivers that run through the heart of
Singapore. It is a reservoir in the city. This makes the reservoir Singapore. It is a reservoir in the city. This makes the reservoir
much more susceptible to pollution. Moreover, it is located in the much more susceptible to pollution. Moreover, it is located in the
heart of downtown Singapore close to the Central Business District heart of downtown Singapore close to the Central Business District
and many key attractions. Therefore, any pollution will therefore be and many key attractions. Therefore, any pollution will therefore be
highly visible. highly visible.
With those considerations in mind, many pollution control and With those considerations in mind, many pollution control and
mitigation measures were put in place prior to the completion of mitigation measures were put in place prior to the completion of
Marina Reservoir. With the creation of Marina Reservoir and two Marina Reservoir. With the creation of Marina Reservoir and two
other upcoming reservoirs, other upcoming reservoirs,