| The water that binds | 240 | https://www.pub.gov.sg/news/pressreleases/Thewaterthatbinds | The water that binds | 24/3/2017 4:00:00 PM | | Stringing together hearts, communities and nature at Pang Sua Pond | Issue Date | Press release | About PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency | About PUB’s ABC Waters Programme | Find out more about us | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Walking by the water
will no longer be the same </span>for residents of Bukit Panjang, now that they can “walk on water” instead
to gain easy access to amenities in the neighbourhood. This is made possible
with a new 480-metre boardwalk suspended up to 7 metres over the Pang Sua Pond
under PUB’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme (<span lang="ZH-CN">活跃，优美，清洁</span><span lang="ZH-CN"> </span>– <span lang="ZH-CN">全民共享水源计划</span>, <span lang="ZH-CN">简称</span>ABC<span lang="ZH-CN">水源计划</span><span lang="EN-US">). Guest-of-Honour, Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong officiated at the opening ceremony of this ABC Waters
project this evening.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">Nestled in the heart
of Bukit Panjang town, Pang Sua Pond is a stormwater collection pond that serves
as a source of water supply. It collects rainwater runoff from the surrounding catchment
before the water is pumped to the Upper Seletar Reservoir for storage and treatment.
Built in the 1990s, the pond is a forerunner of the ABC Waters Programme,
having undergone transformation in its early years from a bare stormwater
collection pond to an attractive wooded lake. It was one of the projects identified
then to undergo landscaping enhancements to complement adjacent residential
developments and encourage recreation.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">Held in conjunction
with the opening ceremony of ABC Waters @ Pang Sua Pond are the Chingay @
Heartlands 2017 and the opening ceremony of 3G Wellness Centre @ Bukit Panjang
Neighbourhood 5 Park. More than 3000 residents attended the event.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Go places with new boardwalk</strong></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span> <img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/pangsua_elevatedboardwalk.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">A key highlight of the revamped Pang Sua Pond is
its elevated boardwalk, which offers residents a unique experience of “walking
over water”. Connectivity is boosted as residents can now use the boardwalk to access
several facilities in the vicinity, such as the new 3G Wellness Centre, and the
popular Senja-Cashew Community Club and Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood 5 Park.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/pangsua_lookoutdecks.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></span></span> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">Two lookout decks built along the boardwalk also
allow residents to pause in their tracks to get closer to water and admire the beautiful
waterbody. As residents traverse seamlessly to various parts of the
neighbourhood via the boardwalk, a natural community focal point is born.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>A floating outdoor classroom that cleanses water too</strong></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/pangsua_floatingwetlands.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></span></span></span> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">Sitting on the northern edge of Pang Sua Pond, a
lush community of wetland plants form the second largest man-made floating
wetland system in Singapore. Slightly bigger than an Olympic-sized swimming
pool, the floating wetlands simulate nature’s way of cleansing water. Rooted
emergent plants such as </span>Fragrant Pandan <span lang="EN-US">and
Miniature Flatsedge within the wetlands help to absorb nutrients and cleanse
water in the pond. By creating habitats above and below water, this ABC Waters
design feature will enhance biodiversity, beautify the surrounding landscape,
and serve as natural outdoor classrooms for residents and students to learn about
how one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems supports a thriving
community of aquatic and animal life, and why it is important to keep the
waters clean. To further improve water quality, aerators are also installed
within the pond.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Lights, Sound, Music and more</strong></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/pangsua_multi-purposestage.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></span></span></span></span> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">Overlooking the stunning waterscape at Pang Sua
Pond, a multi-purpose stage that can seat more than 250 people offers endless
possibilities for a diverse range of outdoor performances, community events and
other entertainment options by the water and under the stars. The variety of
performance acts and live fireworks display today are an example of what the community
can look forward to in the near future.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/pangsua_ABCWaters.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" />
</p><p>“ABC Waters @ Pang Sua Pond is a challenging yet
interesting project as we put in features that improved aesthetics and user
experience while retaining the pond’s core function as a source of water
supply. The floating wetlands and aerators is a case in point where besides improving
water quality in the pond, biodiversity and the overall quality of life is also
enhanced. As the community enjoys a
leisurely walk or jog over water and take in the panoramic scenery, we hope
they will be inspired to play their part in keeping the waters free from litter
so that Pang Sua Pond can continue to be a gem that all of us can treasure and
be proud of,” said PUB’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr Tan Nguan Sen <span lang="ZH-CN">公用事业局可持续发展署署长陈元森</span>.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Community ownership is key</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Already, the latest water playground in the West has garnered attention from the community, eager to play their part for water. Six schools and Cashew Constituency have pledged to be adopters of Pang Sua Pond and have come up with innovative ways to care for the waterbody.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">An active advocate for the water cause, Zhenghua Primary School will develop a trail for its Primary Four students, which will subsequently be extended to neighbouring schools. In addition, the school has plans to conduct clean-up activities at Pang Sua Pond and its neighbouring park four times a year. Members of the Environment & Science Club at Greenridge Primary School will similarly be helping to keep the pond clean, while carrying out water quality testing activities.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">At Zhenghua Secondary School, its Secondary Two students would be profiling Pang Sua Pond as part of a geography project on Bukit Panjang as a town to live in. Besides performing water quality testing, the students have made sketches of the picturesque waterscape, which are showcased at the opening ceremony.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Another activist Teck Whye Primary School has completed investigative projects on water conservation as part of its Primary 5 curriculum. Its staff will help to keep the pond clean by doing monthly observation and report on littering.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Other adopters of ABC Waters @ Pang Sua Pond include West Spring Primary School, West View Primary School and Cashew Constituency who will also be conducting clean-up activities at the pond.<br><br><br><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/0.1_pangsua.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">(L – R) Chief Executive Director of PA, Mr Desmond Tan; MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Mr Christopher de Souza; MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Mr Liang Eng Hwa; Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mayor for North West District and MP for Bukit Panjang SMC, Dr Teo Ho Pin; and Chief Executive of PUB, Mr Ng Joo Hee at the official opening of ABC Waters @ Pang Sua Pond.</span><img src="http://public.prdweb.pub.gov.sg/sites/assets/PressReleaseAssets/0.2_pangsua.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br><span class="ms-rteStyle-ImageDescriptionStyle">Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong viewing the floating wetlands and 3G Wellness Centre along the boardwalk at Pang Sua Pond.</span></p>
| <p style="text-align:justify;">PUB
is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
It is the national water agency, and manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment
and used water in an integrated way.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">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 style="text-align:justify;">PUB
calls on everyone to play a part in conserving water, in keeping our waterways
clean, and in caring for Singapore’s precious water resources. If we all do our
little bit, there will be enough water for all our needs – for commerce and
industry, for living, for life.</p> | <p style="text-align:justify;">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, 36 ABC Waters projects completed by PUB have been opened
to the public.</p> | <p>Like us at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PUBsg">www.facebook.com/PUBsg</a> <br>Follow us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/PUBsingapore">www.instagram.com/PUBsingapore</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/PUBsingapore">www.twitter.com/PUBsingapore</a> <br>Subscribe to our channel at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/sgPUB">www.youtube.com/sgPUB</a> <br>For our latest event photos, visit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/PUBsg">www.flickr.com/PUBsg</a> or <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/PUBsg">www.pinterest.com/PUBsg</a> <br>Download our mobile apps: MyWaters for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/mywaters/id533051315?mt=8">iOS</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codigo.pub.mywaters&hl=en">Android</a> or <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-sg/store/app/mywaters/1089ffe2-749f-4487-9193-675d356036ee">Windows Phone</a> <br>Visit our website at <a href="http://www.pub.gov.sg/">www.pub.gov.sg</a></p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
