Singapore, 3 March 2026 – PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency has completed the site-specific study (SSS) for a 24‑kilometre stretch of the north-west coastline from Tuas Checkpoint to Lim Chu Kang (refer to Annex A). This is one of two sections that make up the north-western coast, and is home to four coastal reservoirs – Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun – that are vital freshwater sources for Singapore. The SSS, which commenced in April 2022, assessed options to safeguard our reservoirs against seawater intrusion due to rising sea levels.
2 Recommendations include raising and strengthening existing dykes at Tengeh, Poyan and Sarimbun reservoirs. The elevated dykes will double up as roadways for maintenance and incorporate design features to maintain ecological connectivity to the sea. For the remaining coastline, the continuous line of defence will be achieved by leveraging existing high ground, dovetailing coastal protection measures with future developments (e.g. raise ground) and replacing tidal gates at the reservoir dykes.
Artist impression of a raised dyke to protect Sarimbun Reservoir at
Singapore’s north-west coast
3 With the completion of the SSS for this stretch of the coastline, PUB and relevant government agencies will work together to develop the detailed engineering designs of the recommended measures. Construction of the measures is targeted to commence from mid-2030s, subjected to studies to be carried out.
Updates on coastal protection studies
4 The Government continues to make steady progress on the SSS (refer to Annex B) across Singapore. PUB completed the SSS for City-East Coast, which includes the Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi in 2025. Recommended measures include coastal barriers and raised structures, which were showcased at PUB’s inaugural Coastal Protection Exhibition at VivoCity in August 2025.
5 The SSS for the second section of the north-west coast, which covers a 15‑kilometre stretch from Lim Chu Kang to Woodlands, is on track to be completed this year. In September 2025, PUB conducted an Our Coastal Conversation (OCC) session, where over 50 participants went on a site walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) and the nearby Kranji Dam and Tidal Gatehouse, before engaging in discussions on how these areas could be protected. Ideas include designating public trails around the existing SBWR visitor centre and carpark as Transiently Floodable Areas (TFA) and re-designing the existing Kranji Dam and Tidal Gatehouse as multi-functional spaces. More public engagement sessions will be held before PUB announces the recommended measures for this area.
6 The SSS for south-west coast and Sentosa Island, as well as PUB’s Risk Assessment Study (RAS) for eight offshore islands are due to commence in 2026.
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