Research and Development (R&D)

PUB’s R&D work is centred on the water loop and focuses on 9 technology domains of interests:

• Watershed management
• Water treatment, desalination and reuse
• Used water treatment
• Water quality and security
• Network management (water and used water)
• Industrial water solutions
• Digitalisation
• Coastal protection and climate change adaptation & mitigation
• Waste reduction and resource recovery

Click here to learn more about our water loop.

R&D in PUB takes place at three levels:

Level 1: Upstream Fundamental Research
Basic and applied research with tertiary and research institutes to proof a concept with direct application to PUB’s operations through analytical and laboratory studies.

Level 2: Pilot Scale Studies
An extension of fundamental research work whereby a laboratory proven concept is tested in actual field conditions via an appropriately-sized unit.

Level 3: Demo Plant Studies
Subject to a successful pilot-study, a demonstration-scale study may be conducted whereby a pilot plant may be constructed and put into operation to test for operational and process challenges, if any. Issues and solutions identified will be used to improve the designs of a full-scale plant if it is implemented in actual operation.

PUB maintains close links with local and international water companies, research and tertiary institutions to stay relevant and keep abreast of the development of water technologies in the world. Through these links, PUB hopes to facilitate R&D collaboration between local water industries, research institutes and universities with overseas counterparts.

Some of our partners include: