Visit to the Marina Barrage 14 May 2008

We had a very interesting learning journey at the Marina Barrage Exhibition Centre.  We were very priviledged to have a PUB executive engineer who conducted a one-hour talk on the Marina Barrage project for us.  It was indeed a very fruitful session and the pupils were able to obtain many first hand information related to this new water catchment during the Q & A session.  

Some of the questions asked were:

1) How will the marina barrage affect the ecology of the area around the Kallang and Singapore Rivers?  Due to decreasing salinity, many marine animals were unable to survive in this changing environment.  Is PUB also looking into the environmental damage and how are they addressing the issue?  Will freshwater fish be put into the reservoir instead once the barrage is completed?  

2) How do they create the reservoir with fresh water?  Do they flush out all the sea water through a series of pumps or do they dilute it over time with rainwater?  

3) When will the reservoir be ready to supply fresh water to homes?  Which part of Singapore will this catchment supply water to?

4) What were some of the difficulties faced during the construction of the barrage?

5) What are the materials that are used to reinforce the crest gates?

6) Many other questions...

Pupils in the various PW groups may want to answer these questions by posting them in the 'Comments' below.

You may have also discovered some other interesting facts about the Marina Barrage.  Please include them in the report and email it to me individually.  My email address is siewtf@gmail.com.

Do spend some time to reflect and pen down your thoughts as soon as possible.

Submit your first draft of the report by 15 June 2008 via email to me.

Meanwhile, please meet up with your group members to sort out the photos and document your findings.

Enjoy your holidays and I'll hope to hear from all of you soon.