As Singapore observes the Year of Climate Adaptation, the International Water Association has recognised PUB as an Outstanding Climate Smart Utility and honoured its used water treatment project for achieving world-leading energy efficiency.
PUB (third from right) was recognised as an Outstanding Climate Smart Utility at the
IWA World Water Congress 2026 in Glasgow, alongside other recipients.
Singapore, 9 October 2026 – PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency has been recognised for its climate-smart water management and innovation efforts by the International Water Association (IWA). At the biennial IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition held in Glasgow, Scotland, PUB was one of four water utilities named as an Outstanding Climate Smart Utility under the “Achiever” category. PUB also received the Bronze Project Innovation Award for its project that achieved world-leading energy efficiency by integrating synergistic advanced technologies into standard Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems for used water treatment.
PUB conferred the Outstanding Climate Smart Utility recognition
Dr Kelvin Koh, Director, Industry & Technology Collaboration Department, PUB,
receiving the Climate Smart Utility (Outstanding) recognition on behalf of PUB at
the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 in Glasgow
2 Over the years, PUB has adopted an integrated and innovative approach to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of its operations and systems such as those involving water management and flood resilience. These efforts have earned PUB the Outstanding Climate Smart Utility recognition for its significant progress and leadership in climate adaptation, sustainability and water resilience.
3 As a highly urbanised island nation with limited land and natural water resources, Singapore seeks to safeguard long-term water security while it adapts to climate challenges such as more dry spells and increasing flood risks arising from extreme and unpredictable weather conditions. Its climate adaptation efforts involve an integrated approach spanning water resource management, flood resilience, and sustainable operations.
4 PUB’s whole-of-system approach extends beyond individual projects and initiatives to encompass diversifying Singapore’s water supply through the Four National Taps, enhancing flood resilience through strategic long-term planning and investments, advancing innovation through research and development (R&D), as well as galvanising public support in water conservation and community flood resilience.
PUB’s used water treatment project clinched Project Innovation Award
5 NEWater, the third of Singapore’s Four National Taps, is a weather-resilient source and closes the water loop by treating used water to produce ultra-pure NEWater for industrial applications, or to supplement our reservoirs during dry spells. To enhance the sustainability of used water treatment, PUB continually invests in R&D and collaborates with industry partners to advance innovations that can be readily integrated with existing MBR systems.
6 The award-winning project was developed at PUB’s Integrated Validation Plant (IVP) at Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation Plant, where promising used water treatment technologies are scaled up, integrated and validated under actual operating conditions before wider deployment. By integrating advanced technologies with MBR treatment and optimising the overall system, the project achieved a world-leading process energy consumption of 0.21 kWh/m³, compared with 0.5 to 1.5 kWh/m³ for typical municipal MBR systems.
7 The project clinched the IWA’s Bronze Project Innovation Award under the “Performance Improvement and Operational Solutions” category. Besides reducing process energy consumption, the integrated system increased biological treatment capacity without requiring additional tanks, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and sludge production, and continued to meet stringent water quality requirements. The plant’s membranes have also operated for nine years without requiring intensive chemical recovery cleaning. The project demonstrates how PUB translates R&D into validated solutions and capabilities to develop more efficient, resilient, and sustainable water reclamation plants.
8 Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in, Chief Executive of PUB, said “These awards affirm PUB’s long-standing commitment to climate adaptation, whether in terms of safeguarding Singapore’s water security or strengthening our flood resilience. They also recognise PUB’s significant efforts in research and innovation, that enable us to better deliver on our water mission.”
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