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  Straits Times 29 Aug 07
Marina Barrage gets world's biggest water pumps

Business Times 30 Aug 07
Water control

Channel NewsAsia 29 Aug 07
Marina Barrage will house world's largest water pumps

SINGAPORE : Singapore's flood control measures will go one step further after the Marina Barrage becomes operational by the end of this year. Works are currently underway to install drainage pumps next to the reservoir.

These pumps are the world's largest and are specially brought in from the Netherlands. Their job is to drain out excess water during flooding. Each pump weighs 28 tonnes, or about the weight of 400 men. And when operational, it will be able to drain, in one minute, an amount of water that can fill up an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

When completed, water from the southern and central parts of Singapore such as Ang Mo Kio and Thomson will flow into the Marina Reservoir, which has a catchment area one-sixth the size of the island.

When there is heavy rain and high tide, the pumps will be set in motion, draining water from the reservoir into the sea. But if the tide is low during heavy rain, flood gates will open to release the water into the sea.

This will help ensure that water levels in the Marina Reservoir, which is set to be a freshwater lake, is kept constant.

It also means that low-lying areas like Chinatown and Little India will be spared from flooding.

Yap Kheng Guan, Director, 3P Network, PUB, said: "So look at this system - the gates and the pumps - as (a) means in which you can manage this water level. The water level will not become so high that it will threaten some of the low-lying areas in Singapore".

Water agency PUB expects to activate two of the pumps for an average of 4 to 5 times a year during high tide or monsoon seasons. - CNA/ch

Business Times 30 Aug 07
Water control

MARINA Barrage, the $226 million project that is currently being built across the Marina Channel, will help prevent flooding in Singapore's low-lying areas, while the new reservoir - Singapore's 15th - will provide an additional source of water. The reservoir will also serve as an arena for watersports.

The seven drainage pumps, housed in the barrage, make it the world's biggest pumping facility. The pumps will allow for flood control by pumping water out in the event of heavy rains and high tide. Two pumps were installed yesterday. All the pumps are expected to be installed by end September but the engineering of Marina Barrage itself should be completed by year end.

Straits Times 29 Aug 07
Marina Barrage gets world's biggest water pumps

TWO years after it was launched, the Marina Barrage looks set to be in operation by year's end. Already, 80 per cent of the construction work is completed.

Marking this milestone, PUB, Singapore's water agency, unveiled the world's biggest water pump facility at the dam.

The Marina Barrage will be Singapore's 15th reservoir to store 10 per cent of the country's current water demand. It will also act as a tidal barrier and relieve flooding in low-lying areas like Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.

But apart from its functionality, the Marina freshwater basin will also serve as a recreational and tourist attraction, when the public can enjoy water sports, concerts and even walk along the Barrage.

Keeping the basin's water levels steady are seven water pumps and nine crest gates. The pumps, each weighing 28,000 kilograms is equal to the weight of 400 men. These drainage pumps will discharge water from the reservoir to the sea in the event of heavy rain and high tide. Based on Singapore's annual rainfall pattern, PUB estimates that up to three pumps would be used five times a year.

Said PUB's director of 3P Network, Mr Yap Kheng Guan: 'With the pumps and gates, sea water will not become an influence in our drains and canals.'

The Marina Barrage is expected to be up and running by the end of this year. The public will also be able to visit the Visitor Centre by July next year.
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