Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant commences operations

It can treat either seawater or freshwater drawn from the Marina Reservoir.

Marina East Water, a subsidiary of Keppel Infrastructure, has announced that its large-scale, dual-mode Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant (KMEDP) is now operational, a press release revealed.

The project is under the Design, Build, Own and Operate (DBOO) arrangement made with the National Water Agency PUB, Marina East Water, which is Singapore’s fourth desalination plant and Keppel’s second under the said deal. It will undertake plant operations for a 25-year concession period from 2020 to 2045.

KMEDP claims to be capable of producing 137,000 cubic metres (about 30 million gallons) of fresh drinking water per day and its location in Marina East gives it the ability to treat either seawater or freshwater drawn from the Marina Reservoir, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. In dry weather, the plant will draw water from the sea to produce desalinated water.

When it rains, the plant will utilise rainwater collected in the reservoir to produce potable water, which requires less energy and fewer steps in the treatment process compared to desalination.

The project features treatment equipment being completely underground, as well as a green rooftop for community recreation. It also incorporates environmentally friendly elements within its landscaping, such as rainwater harvesting ponds and stormwater management systems, to retain rainwater for reuse in irrigation and the facility’s water features.