National water agency PUB has completed the construction of Tengah Service Reservoir (SR), a key water supply infrastructure that will support current and future water demand in Tengah Town, Singapore. Costing approximately S$120 million, the construction of the facility commenced in May 2022 and concluded in November 2025. As part of the country’s water supply network, service reservoirs store treated drinking water from PUB’s treatment plants before it is piped to homes and businesses, helping to ensure a continuous and reliable water supply.
Located in the western region of Singapore, Tengah SR comprises two water tanks and has the capacity to hold a combined equivalent of about 22 Olympic-sized swimming pools of potable water. It was planned to support the projected increase in water demand from upcoming residential developments in Tengah Town, which is expected to accommodate about 42,000 households, as well as businesses in the upcoming Tengah industrial precinct, part of the Jurong Innovation District.
Tengah SR is built on high ground to maintain stable and consistent water pressure across the network. Situated at the highest point in Tengah, the facility enables potable water to flow to surrounding developments via gravity without the need for additional pumping, improving operational efficiency and saving costs. It is operated remotely through a centralised system that provides real-time monitoring and control of key operational functions, enhancing work productivity while reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing operational reliability.
Slipform construction method
Chye Joo Construction Pte Ltd was awarded the tender to construct Tengah SR. It marked the first time an SR in Singapore was built using the slipform construction method, which involved continuous, round-the-clock pouring of concrete to cast a seamless circular wall from the ground up. As a result, the water tanks’ concrete walls have no construction joints, minimising the risk of water leakage and improving the performance of the SR.
PUB worked closely with the Housing & Development Board (HDB) during the planning and development of the project to ensure that it was fully integrated with Tengah’s overall masterplan. The SR’s design also took into consideration its surroundings, with the installation of dark brown aluminium facade fins enabling the facility to blend more naturally with the surrounding environment.
As Tengah SR was developed within a forested area, PUB implemented a series of environmental mitigation measures during construction to minimise impact to the surrounding habitat. These included wildlife shepherding prior to site clearance, inspections for possible nesting areas before tree felling, and the erection of temporary hoarding around the work areas to prevent wildlife from entering worksite(s) during construction.
Service reservoirs play an important role in Singapore’s water supply system. They serve as a buffer against daily fluctuations in water demand and help maintain supply reliability during periods of peak usage or unexpected interruptions. PUB currently operates over 10 such facilities, including NEWater service reservoirs for industrial customers.
Image: PUB
