| ABC Waters makes the next big leap with 20 more projects | 105 | https://www.pub.gov.sg/news/pressreleases/20160320 | ABC Waters makes the next big leap with 20 more projects | 19/3/2016 4:00:00 PM | | PUB extends outreach to schools and developers to make ABC Waters even more pervasive | Issue Date | Press Release | About PUB | About PUB’s ABC Waters Programme | Find out more about us | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <p>Beautiful rivers with landscaped banks, kayakers paddling in the reservoirs, lively play areas for children and boardwalks for families to bond by the water – the journey to transform our waterways and waterbodies has progressively beautified our blue spaces and created many vibrant community nodes for all to enjoy. Ten years into the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme, PUB has completed 32 ABC Waters projects across the island.</p><p>More communities are set to benefit from the ABC Waters Programme with another 20 projects completing in the next five years. Amongst these are three ABC Waters projects at Hougang Town, where Guest-of-Honour, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony this morning. The three projects are at Hougang Avenue 10, Sungei Pinang and Serangoon Reservoir. These projects are part of HDB’s Remaking Our Heartland Programme for Hougang.</p><p>The groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with the Hibiscus Family Carnival organised by Sengkang South Grassroots Organisation (GRO) in the Hibiscus precinct of the division. About 1,500 residents attended the event.<br><br><strong>Once a Vision – Now a Reality – Towards the Next Lap</strong></p><p>Since the launch of the ABC Waters Programme in 2006, PUB has completed 32 ABC Waters projects at waterbodies and waterways all across the island. From the first demonstration project at Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront to the flagship project at Kallang River @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, ABC Waters has tapped on the potential of Singapore’s pervasive network of water bodies and waterways to create community and recreational areas while enhancing liveability and adding value to our overall living environment.</p><p>Another 54 ABC Waters certified projects were completed by private developers and other public agencies, while over 350 organisations have adopted our blue spaces, caring for these spots through activities like creating and conducting ABC Waters learning trails, clean-ups or learning more about water and biodiversity. These are testament to the value of the Programme in connecting Singaporeans from all walks of life to water as they learn to value and cherish this precious resource by keeping it clean.</p><p>In the next five years and beyond, Singapore’s waterscape is set to be transformed further, with about another 20 ABC Waters projects slated for completion, many of which are right in the heartlands, bringing the Programme closer to home. Some of these upcoming projects include those along Sungei Whampoa (Kim Keat Road to CTE) and Sungei Pandan Kechil (<a href="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseDocuments/001_ANNEX%20A.pdf"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">see ANNEX A</font></span></a>).</p><p>To promote a wider adoption of ABC Waters design features, PUB will be working closely with various stakeholders to promote the mainstreaming of the Programme. For the private developers and public agencies, PUB is exploring a framework to facilitate guidance in the design of their new development such that it integrates seamlessly with its adjacent waterway. PUB is also looking into increasing the adoption of ABC Waters design features within development sites.</p><p>PUB will also extend further outreach into schools, to educate our young on water quality, habitat creation and the impact of human actions on our natural resources. PUB will build rain gardens at eight schools, which will serve as outdoor classrooms where students can learn about water and nature in a real-life setting. The eight schools are Anglican High School, Hillgrove Secondary School, Pei Hwa Secondary School, West Grove Primary School, Ang Mo Kio Primary School, ITE College East, National Institute of Education and Republic Polytechnic. Construction of the rain gardens will start this year and is expected to complete in about a year.</p><p>Mr Tan Nguan Sen, Chief Sustainability Officer of PUB, said, “Our vision for the next lap is to make ABC Waters a way of life. While we roll out more projects in the heartlands, we aim to make the ABC Waters concept and its design features ubiquitous across the island by working closely with schools, private developers and public agencies. Over time, conventional water infrastructure will be replaced with treasured blue spaces, creating an even more liveable and sustainable City of Gardens and Water.”</p><p><strong>ABC Waters for the Community </strong></p><p>To commemorate 10 years of ABC Waters, PUB will roll out a series of exhibits to bring the ABC Waters to the community (<a href="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseDocuments/001_ANNEX%20B.pdf"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">see ANNEX B</font></span></a>).</p><p>Water Wally Explores ABC Waters: A collection of ten life-size Water Wally figurines makes a symbolic reference to the landscape transformation made possible by the decade-long programme, while showcasing the recreational and education value that ABC Waters projects have brought to the community. The Search for Water Wally: A series of ten illustrations features a meaningful story to inspire everyone to play a part in keeping our waters clean. This series is hand-drawn by illustrator and artiste Edmund Chen, in collaboration with PUB.</p><p>“I was inspired to draw an illustration that can connect people to water in a light-hearted and interactive manner. The illustration brings the young (and the young at heart) on a journey where we uncover the importance of keeping the waters clean, free of any litter and pollution, by telling the story through the eyes of the animals in the river,” explained Edmund Chen.</p><p>SG Blue Spaces: In Seasons: This photo exhibition features nuances of the four seasons spotted across Singapore’s waterbodies through the lens of instagrammers. Eight of PM Lee’s personal works, some of which were taken at ABC Waters sites, have also been reproduced in this exhibition with his permission. Through the beautiful visuals, the public can develop an awareness on water conservation and a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s beautiful blue spaces.</p><p><strong>Launch of CERTs On Patrol-Enhanced</strong></p><p>At the Hibiscus Family Day, Sengkang South GRO launched ‘CERTs* On Patrol-Enhanced’ where the current CERTs on Patrol by the Sengkang South Community Emergency and Engagement Committee (C2E) will be enhanced to engage like-minded residents on river watch activities along the nearby Sungei Pinang and Serangoon Reservoir (<a href="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseDocuments/001_ANNEX%20C.pdf"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">see ANNEX C</font></span></a>). Besides game stalls and community agency booths, the carnival also featured exhibits to update residents on the ongoing Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.</p><p>* CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, an initiative by the Emergency Preparedness Division of the People’s Association.</p><p><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/001.1_20160320_PUB_Hougang_HL-3.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /> <br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">Groundbreaking ceremony of ABC Waters @ Hougang Town L to R: Mr Lee Hong Chuang, Adviser to Hougang SMC GROs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, GOH Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Adviser to Ang Mo Kio GRC GROs, Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State, Ministry of Health, Adviser to Sengkang West SMC GROs, Mr Ng Joo Hee, Chief Executive of PUB </span></p><p><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/001.2_20160320_PUB_Hougang_HL-7.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /> <br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">Prime Minister Lee putting the finishing touch on 'The Search for Water Wally' illustration.</span></p> <p><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/001.3_20160320_PUB_Hougang_HL-11.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /> <br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">Prime Minister Lee viewing a showcase of his pictures of waterbodies at PUB's 'SG Blue Spaces' exhibition. </span></p><p><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/001.4_PUB_ABC_WATERS_GB_12.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /> <br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">Prime Minister Lee and residents posing for a photo at the 'Water Wally explores ABC Waters' installation. </span></p> | <p>PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the water agency that manages Singapore's water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way.</p><p>PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water). </p><p>To provide water for all, PUB calls on all to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. If we all play our part, we can have enough water for all our needs – for industry, for living, for life. </p> | <p>The ABC Waters Programme was launched by PUB in 2006 to transform Singapore’s water bodies beyond their utilitarian purpose into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes, creating a vibrant City of Gardens and Water. Over 100 potential locations have been identified for implementation by 2030. To date, 32 ABC Waters projects have been completed. </p> | <p>Like us at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PUBsg"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.facebook.com/PUBsg</font></span></a><br>Follow us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/PUBsingapore"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.instagram.com/PUBsingapore</font></span></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/PUBsingapore"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.twitter.com/PUBsingapore</font></span></a> <br>Subscribe to our channel at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/sgPUB"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.youtube.com/sgPUB</font></span></a><br>For our latest event photos, visit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/PUBsg"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.flickr.com/PUBsg</font></span></a> or <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/PUBsg"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.pinterest.com/PUBsg</font></span></a><br>Download our mobile apps: MyWaters for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/mywaters/id533051315?mt=8"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">iOS</font></span></a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codigo.pub.mywaters&hl=en"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">Android </font></span></a>or <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-sg/store/app/mywaters/1089ffe2-749f-4487-9193-675d356036ee"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">Windows Phone </font></span></a>and <br>PURE Magazine for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/pure-magazine/id722242119?mt=8"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">iOS</font></span></a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg.com.pure_magazine.app&hl=en"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">Android</font></span></a>, <a href="https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/39895902/?countrycode=US&lang=en"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">Blackberry</font></span></a> or <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-sg/store/app/pure-magazine/8a8b02a0-99f5-4962-bd0e-e83bcda3c755"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">Windows Phone</font></span></a><br>Visit our website at <a href="http://www.pub.gov.sg/"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0066cc">www.pub.gov.sg</font></span></a></p> | | | <p></p> | <p> <br></p>
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