Transforming PUB into

the Smart Utility of the

Future
Artificial Intelligence, big data and smart work redesign are
key to the Smart PUB Roadmap unveiled at the Singapore
International Water Week 2018

Issue Date

11 Jul 2018

Press release

PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency launched its SMART PUB roadmap today in its move to
digitalise Singapore's entire water system to improve operational excellence and meet future
water needs. This is part of PUB's continual investment in digital solutions to achieve smarter
water quality management, network improvements, integrated customer engagements, and
smarter work processes.

A Smart Roadmap for Intelligent Water Management in Singapore

Advancements in digital and infocomm technology are rapidly transforming the global
landscape, offering water utilities new ways of enhancing productivity and efficiency in planning
and operations. Driven by increasing water demand, rising operational costs, manpower
constraints and new challenges like climate change, PUB is leveraging digital solutions and
smart technologies to strengthen its operational resilience, productivity, safety and security. The
integration of Smart water technology will be a key pillar in Singapore's water resource
management to achieve greater efficiencies, and faster response time in planning, operations
and service delivery.

"Business as usual is not sustainable. Not adopting new technology exposes us to

inefficiencies and risk, and can render us obsolete or unable to adapt to technological
disruptions," shared Mr Michael Toh, Chief Information Officer, PUB, Singapore's National Water
Agency. "The integration of smart technologies in Singapore's water loop – from stormwater
management to potable water production and distribution for used water collection and
reclamation – opens up new opportunities for us to enhance our system oversight and
situational awareness. Data driven insights will also help PUB attain higher levels of
operational efficiency, improve our incident response times, and ultimately serve our
customers better."
Smarter Water Quality Management with Artificial Intelligence and Automation

PUB's key mission is providing a safe and sustainable supply for Singapore, where water quality
is of key importance. PUB is exploring two key innovations for remote water quality monitoring –
  the Remote Micro-Invertebrate Detector and the Autonomous Boat.

The Remote Micro-Invertebrate Detector is an in-house prototype, designed and developed by

PUB's Water Quality Department. The portable low-cost device is easily deployed onsite to
provide real-time detection and identification of images using Artificial Intelligence, with
split-second imaging to determine the presence of micro-invertebrates in the water samples.
The unit is linked to a mobile app and chat-bot, which allows the system to perform 24/7 real-
time testing of water samples onsite, respond to commands, send live image reports, and trigger
alerts when anomalies are detected. PUB targets to use this on a larger scale by end 2020.

With desalination as one of Singapore's four National taps, it is important for PUB to monitor the
quality of seawater intake to the plants. PUB is testbedding the Autonomous Boat, which has
the capability to brave choppy waters to perform real-time water quality monitoring via onboard
sensors, collect water samples, and take photos and videos of actual water conditions.
Programmed to avoid obstacles in the water, the boat is also able to self-navigate to the
designated sampling points.

Key Network Improvements with Predictive Intelligence

With a focus on integrating data streams, PUB aims to take preventive measures to improve
reliability of our network system, improve incident response time and achieve better water
savings. One of the key benefits will be a Pre-emptive Leak Management System to detect
potential pipe failures and prevent pipe leaks. The use of analytics techniques will allow PUB to
identify and prioritise these high-risk pipelines for renewal.

In addition, PUB is issuing a Request-for-Proposals for smart sewer analytics and predictive
management capabilities to optimise PUB's sewer operations, maintenance, and automate
workflow processes. The objective of this system is to allow PUB to reduce service disruptions,
and help manage resources for better service delivery.

Integrated Customer Engagement with Water Usage Data

In a move to make water usage data readily accessible for consumers from tap to app, PUB is
exploring the use of Smart Water Meters, in place of mechanical meters, progressively across
the island. The Smart Water Meters are designed to monitor and collect water consumption
data. This will enable PUB to provide consumers with value-added services through a mobile
customer app, such as understanding their water usage, and alerting households of suspected
water leaks. In motivating behavioural changes to save water during showers, PUB also
introduced the Smart Shower Devices where consumers can track real-time water usage of
their showers and set their own conservation goals via the mobile app on their smart phones.

Smarter Work Redesign with Automation and Robotics

Streamlining work processes with automation, drones and robotics, PUB aims to eliminate
manual paper-intensive tasks, improve knowledge management, while optimising workplace
safety.

       Automated Lab Analysis – Through robotics and automated processes, PUB's Automated
Laboratory 

       System (ALS) will be able to test two to three times more samples in the same amount of
time, while

       operating around-the-clock. The ALS automatically scans and records sample data based
on their QR

       codes, thereby reducing the need for manpower.

      Virtual Reality training for PUB Operators – PUB uses Virtual Reality (VR) to provide Water
Reclamation

      Plant operators with a realistic and immersive training experience of operating a dewatering
centrifuge.
            With  the use of a VR headset and a pair of handheld sensors, operators can start-up and
shut-down the

            dewatering centrifuge, and perform checks as well as respond to abnormalities in a

simulated environment.

          PUB is also developing a Building Information Model E-Checker to check building plan
submissions. The

      software will ensure building plans submitted by Qualified Persons (QPs) are compliant with
PUB

      requirements, thereby reducing the need for manual checking and resubmissions.

(Please refer to Annex A – Factsheet: Key Technologies Showcased at SIWW 2018)

Smart Water focus at the Singapore International Water Week

Building on the Smart Technology momentum, PUB also organised the Smart Water Forum
during SIWW. Held earlier that morning, the Smart Water Forum gathered smart technology
solutions providers in the industry, as well as global utilities across major continents, to share
their experiences and the latest in the areas of smart distribution networks, sensing, process
automation, digital solutions and cybersecurity. The key technologies for the Smart PUB
Roadmap will be featured at the Smart Water Pavilion, located on Level 1 (Booth M14) in the
Exhibition Hall from 9 to 11 July 2018.

About PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

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.

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).

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.

About Singapore International Water Week (SIWW 2018)

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform to share and co-create
innovative water solutions. Comprising the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Water Leaders Summit,
Water Convention, Business Forums, Industrial Water Solutions Forum, Water Expo,
TechXchange and Young Water Leaders Summit, SIWW delivers a range of flagship programmes
and platforms that bring together the global value chain of water to share the latest in business
and technological innovations, as well as policy developments in water. The 8th Singapore
International Water Week will be held from 8th – 12th July 2018, co-located with the World Cities
Summit (WCS) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS). For more information, please visit
www.siww.com.sg/.