Research Proposal: Topic No.

“Comparative study of Water Management in Metro Manila, Philippines and Singapore”

Introduction:
In the southwestern part of Luzon, Philippines, you will find Metro Manila, situated on the flat alluvial
plains. Covering a total area of 636 square kilometers, this region is home to 14.667 million residents. It is
divided into three major sections. One of these faces Manila Bay, a natural harbor that serves as the Port of
Manila. This area is characterized by its flat terrain, with ground elevations ranging from sea level on
Manila Bay to five meters on the western side of the cities nearby. It possesses resources for offshore fishing
and fishpond development, as well as various reclamation projects. The second zone primarily consists of
residential areas and is densely populated, with ground elevations ranging from 20 to over 100 meters. The
third zone is a floodplain, as it is adjacent to a lake and a river that provides water for industrial purposes
and drainage. Additionally, it is surrounded by mountains, which is why the land is utilized for crop
cultivation. The main sources of water supply for Metro Manila come from three different dams, namely
Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa Dams. These water sources are processed at various treatment plants to make them
safe and suitable for consumption.
Meanwhile, Singapore is a compact island city-state positioned at the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula,
nestled between Malaysia and Indonesia. As of June 2023, Singapore covers a total area of 734.4 square
kilometers and is home to a population of 6.027 million. The island predominantly sits at an elevation of
around 15 meters above sea level and features a diverse landscape, encompassing hills, gentle slopes, and
valleys, as well as sandy and level terrain where streams have carved steep gullies. Before extensive land
reclamation efforts transformed Singapore, it was primarily an urban area, while the remaining land
consisted of lush tropical rainforests, encircled by mangrove swamps and agricultural fields. Thanks to
Singapore's impressive land reclamation initiatives, numerous small islands were integrated to create new,
larger landmasses suitable for industrial purposes. Despite its location between the South China Sea and
the Indian Ocean, Singapore faces limitations in terms of natural freshwater resources. This is why the
country has established artificial reservoirs and water catchment areas to meet the growing demand for a
freshwater supply. These water sources are efficiently recycled to the point where they are safe for drinking.
Water pollution is a formidable global menace that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of the
public worldwide. It significantly imperils not only humans but also animals and plants, all of which rely
on clean water sources for their survival. The decline in water quality, particularly in rivers, streams, lakes,
and canals, can be attributed to several key factors, including the rapid growth of the global population, the
expansion of industrial activities, and the relentless pace of urbanization. One of the main culprits behind
this escalating problem is the unregulated discharge of both domestic and industrial wastewater into natural
water bodies. This hazardous practice introduces various contaminants, chemicals, and pollutants into the
environment, leading to a decline in water quality and an increase in health risks. An alarming example can
be found in Metro Manila, where an astounding 2 million cubic meters of wastewater is produced daily.
Shockingly, only a meager 10 percent of this massive volume undergoes any form of treatment, leaving
most of it to pollute local water sources. Moreover, a staggering 58 percent of the groundwater in the area
is contaminated, making it unsuitable for consumption or other essential purposes. This distressing situation
in Metro Manila serves as a stark contrast to the remarkable water recycling and purification methods
employed in places such as Singapore, which have set the bar for efficient and sustainable water
management. Singapore's success in recycling water not only ensures a consistent supply of clean and safe
drinking water but also addresses various water-related challenges, including scarcity and pollution.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem of water pollution as the production of
wastewater increased due to the healthcare response. This surge in wastewater production resulted in a
significant rise in medical waste that found its way into landfills and oceans. This, in turn, poses a
substantial risk to public health and the environment, as medical waste contains potentially hazardous
materials. Considering these challenges, it becomes evident that effective water management is of
paramount importance. A comprehensive and sustainable approach to water management is crucial to
ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or circumstances, has access to clean and potable water.
Clean water is essential not only for drinking but also for various other essential uses, including agriculture,
industrial processes, and environmental conservation. It is imperative that we address these issues and work
towards sustainable solutions to safeguard our health and the well-being of our planet.
The purpose of this research is to investigate and contrast the water management challenges, strategies, and
outcomes in Metro Manila and Singapore. The research will encompass an examination of water supply
sources and an analysis of the technology and infrastructure employed for water treatment, distribution, and
storage. Additionally, it will assess the quality of treated water in both regions, focusing on measures to
ensure its safety for consumption. This study offers valuable insights and lessons, not only for fellow
researchers but also for practitioners and policymakers. It provides an opportunity to identify best practices
in successful water management and consider their applicability to Metro Manila. By doing so, we can
address specific water management challenges and explore how both regions can enhance their resilience
in the face of climate change. This study will undertake a comprehensive comparative analysis of all the
aspects to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of water management practices in Singapore. It will
also explore the potential benefits of adopting similar technologies and processes in Metro Manila.
 Research Proposal: Topic No. 2

“Sustainability assessment for countries in South and Southeast Asia following the advanced
treatment techniques for Singapore wastewater reuse and resource recovery”

Introduction:
Water serves as a fundamental and indispensable element in furthering the sustainable development goals
of all nations. The significance of water lies not only in its abundance but in the potential to recycle and
recover every individual droplet, a capacity that holds the key to extending the longevity of products and
facilitating the continuous utilization of available water resources. Beyond this, water is at the very core of
our ability to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, functioning as the vital conduit linking
human society and the natural environment. In line with data and findings from the United Nations, it is
disheartening to note that a staggering 2.2 billion people across the globe lack access to drinking water
services that meet safety standards. Tragically, the consequences of this deficiency are stark, with nearly
300,000 children under the age of five succumbing to diarrheal diseases annually. These diseases are
predominantly a result of inadequate sanitation practices, poor hygiene, or the consumption of unsafe
drinking water. It is indeed sobering to contemplate the fact that a substantial 80 percent of wastewater is
indiscriminately discharged into the environment, without undergoing any treatment or consideration for
reuse, compounding the challenges we face in managing water resources sustainably.
This underscores the importance of implementing advanced and efficient wastewater treatment facilities,
as they play a crucial role in increasing the availability of water for various purposes. These treatment plants
eliminate harmful substances and neutralize potential pathogens, and once the water is purified, it can be
safely returned to the environment for a wide range of applications. This approach can significantly
contribute to achieving sustainability development goals and bolstering a country's economic growth.
Numerous advanced wastewater treatment methods have been proposed and developed. In line with a
sustainability assessment conducted by Hoibye et al. around February 2008, these methods include ozone
treatment, sand filtration, UV treatment for disinfection, UV treatment in combination with advanced
oxidation, and membrane bioreactors (MBR). However, it is crucial to assess which of these techniques are
being adopted by countries, particularly in Asia, and which ones prove to be both effective in their
functionality and economically viable in terms of government investments. We must always consider a
nation's capability to recycle wastewater, especially as our freshwater sources become increasingly limited.
The impact of climate change on a global scale is worsening, with more frequent and severe weather events,
such as increased rainfall and flooding in some areas, along with extreme drought in others. Furthermore,
there is a noticeable trend of stronger hurricanes, tropical storms, and more common heatwaves. As ocean
waters warm, marine life is suffering due to increasing acidity levels. The prospect of marine animals
struggling to survive in our oceans raises the question of our survival if we do not take comprehensive
measures to recover and reuse water resources. This underscores the urgent need to recycle what we already
have and reduce the strain on our natural resources.
This paper will illustrate the case of Singapore's utilization of Advanced Wastewater Treatment and
Resource Recovery. Singapore faces challenges due to its scarcity of natural resources and limited land
area. In the 1960s, the nation's land area was just 581.5 km2, but thanks to extensive land reclamation
projects, it now stands at 734.4 km2. Despite these limitations, Singapore has implemented a remarkable
strategy to maximize water resource utilization by recycling every available drop endlessly. The country
has established a highly advanced system that extracts and purifies all wastewater to the extent that sewage
water becomes potable through a sophisticated filtration and treatment process. For instance, the Changi
Water Reclamation Plant can treat an impressive 900 million liters of wastewater daily, equivalent to filling
an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 24 hours throughout the year. This approach lies at the core of
Singapore's water management system, substantially reducing marine pollution as only a minimal amount
of treated water is discharged into the sea. Remarkably, the Water Reclamation Plant facility is mostly
situated underground, with some parts extending up to 25 stories deep. Wastewater from sewage arrives at
the plant through an extensive network of underground tunnels spanning 48 kilometers, where it undergoes
an initial filtration before being pumped to above-ground facilities for further treatment. Cutting-edge
filtration systems are employed to remove bacteria, viruses, and impurities, followed by water disinfection
using ultraviolet rays. The result of this meticulous process is primarily known as "NEWater," representing
water that is safe, clean, and suitable for consumption. NEWater finds application in industrial plants
requiring high-quality water and serves as a cooling system in buildings. Furthermore, it significantly
bolsters the supply of drinking water. NEWater is channeled to replenish man-made reservoirs and,
following additional treatment, is distributed directly to households. Singapore has invested billions of
dollars in developing and maintaining this infrastructure, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring a
sustainable water supply. Considering the planet's dwindling water resources, this investment is a small
price to pay. Recognizing the critical importance of wastewater treatment is vital, especially considering
the evolving global water crisis that may eventually make water conservation even in our oceans an
insurmountable challenge.
This study aims to assist neighboring nations of Singapore in adopting the technology currently employed
by the country. This research will assess the sustainability throughout the life cycle of advanced wastewater
and sludge treatment methods, taking into account their environmental, social, and economic impacts. The
ultimate objective is to determine the feasibility of implementing such technology in Singapore. This
investigation places a particular emphasis on sustainability, as it is crucial to ensure an adequate supply of
clean water for the present generation without depleting all our natural resources, leaving future generations
with nothing.