[Editor's note on Aug. 19, 11:20am: We've included Keppel's clarification that kite-flying is not possible, the necessary amendment has been made to the article.]

Marina Barrage is a popular open space for Singaporeans to enjoy picnics.

But if you often find it hard to get a spot there, fret not.

A new recreational space in Marina East is set to open soon.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the green rooftop of the new Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant will be open to the public.

It covers 20,000 square metres, equivalent to about three football fields. This is slightly smaller than the green rooftop at Marina Barrage, which is estimated to be around the size of four football fields.

Furthermore, the new green rooftop will be connected to East Coast Park and Gardens by the Bay East via the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network.

This means you can jog and cycle to the green rooftop with ease.

Keppel said that kite-flying is however not possible on this green rooftop as the desalination plant is along the flight path of Paya Lebar Airbase.

More about Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant

The Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant is the newest desalination plant in Singapore, its fourth.

Located in Marina East, the plant will treat either the seawater or freshwater drawn from the Marina Reservoir.

This is the first time that such a large-scale, dual-mode desalination plant is operating in Singapore.

This ability will be important to Singapore's water supply resilience in light of climate change, which presents the risk of extreme weather conditions.

In dry weather, this desalination plant can draw water from the sea to produce desalinated water.

On rainy days, it can produce potable water by treating the rainwater collected from the reservoir.

The process of treating rainwater from the reservoir requires less energy and fewer steps as compared to the usual desalination.

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Top photo by Keppel