PUB to carry out 10-month feasibility study for new 6th desalination plant in S'pore

National water agency PUB will be carrying out a feasibility study for a potential new desalination plant in Singapore.

A tender for the study is set for Dec. 26, 2025.

Desalinated water is Singapore’s fourth national tap introduced in 2005.

It is a weather-resilient source that adds to Singapore’s water security, PUB said.

5 desalination plants currently

Singapore currently has five desalination plants in operation.

PUB said it will continue to invest in expanding water infrastructure to safeguard the country's water supply and security.

10-month feasibility study

The feasibility study is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete.

It will entail the development of various plant design options, and assessments on the technical feasibility and economic viability of the proposed designs.

As part of the study, PUB will assess the viability of constructing a dual-mode plant, similar to the existing Marina East Desalination Plant.

Such a facility would be equipped with the capability to treat either seawater or freshwater, with the flexibility to switch between modes, which enhances the weather-resilience of Singapore’s water supply.

PUB will also explore innovative and multi-functional designs to maximise land-use and lower the new plant’s footprint.

This considers lessons learnt from existing desalination plants, such as incorporating higher multi-storey buildings and deeper basements to house treatment facilities.

The benefits of these alternative designs will be balanced with considerations of technical feasibility and potentially higher costs, PUB said.

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