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The last year has been a rewarding one for PUB.

The national water agency won eight awards and is gaining international attention for its effective water management.

PUB's most recent award is the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award, widely regarded as one of the highest accolades in the water sector. Last year, it was also named the Water Agency of the Year in 2006 in Dubai.

PUB was also a big winner at 2006 International Water Association (IWA )World Water Congress in Beijing when it was honoured with three Marketing and Communication Awards by the IWA.

The latest feather in the hat is the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award 2007, which will be presented to PUB for its national project, the Marina Barrage, at CAFEO 2007 (Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations) in the Philippines. The Marina Barrage, an engineering showpiece, will bring about triple benefits to Singapore by augmenting the local water supply, alleviating floods in the low-lying city areas and becoming a lifestyle attraction.

On the local scene, PUB was one of the six winners of the Institution of Engineers Singapore Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award 2007.

At the 2006 Singapore Excellence Award organised by SPRING, PUB won the Singapore Innovation Award for its advanced technological know-how in NEWater, Marina Barrage and Deep Tunnel Sewerage System.

PUB is one of the few water agencies in the world that manages all aspects of water in an integrated way. By leveraging on technology and continuous investments in R&D, PUB is able to close the water loop and put in place the Four National Taps (water from local catchment, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water).

The international community is full of praise for PUB's good water management.


Mr Lars Gunnarsson, chairman of the Stockholm Industry Water Award Committee, said, "PUB has succeeded in combining all the complex components of a well-functioning water management system that has been accepted by the general public, business and industry. This is an exemplary model of integrated water management in a framework of good policy and innovative engineering solutions."

At the Global Water Awards 2006 organised by Global Water Intelligence, PUB was said to be "unrivaled both in terms of the scope and quality of its work".

"The awards are a testimony of PUB's hard work in the last 40 years to overcome our water challenges. Water is an important resource and it is through strong political will, good governance, effective implementation, a motivated workforce that we have been able to put in place a robust and sustainable supply of water in Singapore. The awards are a strong boost to our aspirations to become a global hydrohub," said PUB's Chief Executive Khoo Teng Chye.

PUB's mascot Water Wally had his first taste of international fame when he won top honours in the IWA Marketing and Communications Awards at the IWA World Water Congress 2006. PUB's Annual Report 2004 and its popular attraction, the NEWater Visitor Centre also won awards at that same event.

"We have been focusing our efforts on the community and trying out new ideas so as to better communicate important issues in water. Given the number of messages competing for the public's attention each day, creativity is needed so as to get the public's attention to ensure our messages are effectively conveyed.

"For example, Water Wally is a good vehicle for reaching out to the masses. He's very likeable and people instantly recognise that he's all about water. Our annual report is designed like a lifestyle magazine; it's highly readable and embodies PUB's new people-centric approach in water management. The NEWater Visitor Centre provides a multi-sensory learning experience for young and old," said Mr Khoo.

Innovation is one of PUB's core values and what better reward than to receive the Singapore

   
  • 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award
  • ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award 2007
  • Institution of Engineers Singapore Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award 2007
  
  • Global Water Agency of the
    Year (Global Water
    Awards 2006)
  • IWA Marketing and
    Communications Award
    2006
    Best Promoted Water Protection
         Activity/ Programme where PUB's
         mascot campaign, Water Wally was
         the category winner
    Reports category where its 2004
         annual report Water For All won the
         Highly Recommended Prize
    School Information category where its
         NEWater Visitor Centre won the
         Highly Recommended Prize
  • Singapore Innovation Award 2006
Innovation Award at the 2006 Singapore Excellence Award.

"In PUB, we encourage our staff to try out new ideas. Some ideas may not work but that's all right. What's more important is to inculcate a culture of innovation, of wanting to do better all the time," said Mr Khoo.

This is the second organisation helmed by Mr Khoo that won the prestigious Innovation Award. In 2001, PSA Corporation won the same award when Mr Khoo was its Group President.

By Teo Yin Yin