Extension of Rainwater Harvesting Systems under HDB Greenprints @ Yuhua Programme to Mature Housing Estates to Minimise Potable Water Usage for Common Area Washing and Watering of Plants
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Murali Pillai’s inquiry on extending rainwater harvesting systems to mature HDB estates to reduce potable water usage for common area maintenance. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that the initial Yuhua pilot was not cost-effective, leading to the development of the integrated Urban Water Harvesting System (UWHS). The UWHS has been included in suitable BTO projects since August 2018 and will now be piloted in existing estates under the HDB Green Towns Programme. HDB is collaborating with PUB to identify suitable locations for this pilot based on technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness. If successful, the system will be rolled out on a wider scale to enhance water conservation across existing housing estates.
Transcript
59 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB can explore the extension of rainwater harvesting systems, first piloted under the HDB Greenprint @ Yuhua programme, to mature housing estates so as to reduce the use of potable water for common area washing and watering of plants.
Mr Desmond Lee: As part of national water conservation efforts, HDB constantly explores new water saving initiatives for both new and existing estates.
The Rainwater Harvesting System (RHS) pilot at Yuhua estate showed that the RHS was not cost-effective, as it involved the installation of a water tank and treatment systems at the ground level of each HDB block. HDB has since developed the Urban Water Harvesting System (UWHS), which integrates the rainwater harvesting tank and treatment system with a detention tank to reduce implementation costs. Besides allowing rainwater to be harvested for non-potable uses like the washing of common areas, the UWHS also slows down stormwater discharge to mitigate flood risk.
HDB has introduced the UWHS to all suitable BTO projects launched from August 2018. In addition, HDB will pilot the UWHS in some existing HDB estates under the HDB Green Towns Programme that was announced earlier this year. HDB is currently working with PUB to identify suitable locations for the pilot, taking into consideration cost effectiveness and technical feasibility. If the pilot is successful, HDB will roll out the UWHS on a wider scale in existing estates, where applicable.
HDB will continue to explore new practical water saving solutions to promote water conservation in HDB estates.