Singapore’s Integrated Stormwater and Flood Management

Lee Zhang Er
Senior Principal Engineer (Drainage Planning)
Catchment and Waterways Department

Kallang River at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

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Presentation Outline

1. Factors affecting storm water drainage

2. Stormwater management strategies
3. Sustainable stormwater management approach
a) Source-Pathway-Receptor
b) ABC Waters Programme
4. Flood management & response
5. Key takeaways

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Three Common Types of Flood

Coastal flooding caused by Hurricane
Coastal Flood Hurricane Ida impacting Louisiana
Sandy ravaged Jersey Shore in Oct 12
coast in August 2021
Inundation of land areas along the
coast by seawater. Common causes are
intense windstorm events occurring at
the same time as high tide (storm
surge), and tsunamis.

Flooding at River Danube in 2013

Fluvial Flood Fluvial flood in Germany in July 2021

occurs when the water level in a river,

lake or stream rises and overflows onto
the surrounding banks, shores and
neighboring land. The water level rise
could be due to excessive rain.

Pluvial Flood
Pluvial flood at Dunearn/Bukit
occurs when an extreme rainfall event Timah Road on 17 Apr 2021

creates a flood independent of an

overflowing water body. It can happen
in any location, urban or rural; even in
areas with no water bodies in the
vicinity. Often occurs in combination
with coastal and fluvial flooding.
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Factors that Contribute to Flooding

Ground
Topography
Conditions

Sea Level &

Rainfall Storm Surges
Flooding
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Rainfall over Singapore is Highly Variable

• Average annual rainfall of about 2,300mm

• High rainfall concentrated in certain months (e.g. Northeast Monsoon, Sumatra squalls
during the Southwest Monsoon)
• Sudden bursts of intense rainfall from a range of storm systems

Annual average rainfall distribution

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Source: MSS
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Singapore is Low-Lying
▪ Pockets of low-lying grounds, especially in coastal areas
▪ Surrounded by the sea; tidal range of about 3m
▪ 30% of Singapore is less than 5m above the current mean sea levels
▪ Extensive drainage network of about 8,000km of drains, canals and rivers
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Increasing Urbanisation

Increasing urbanisation since 1950s

Present
Estimated Population: 5.45M over 725km2

Impact on Stormwater Runoff

Quantity Quality
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Peak Runoff is Increasing

Storm hydrograph showing the difference in peak runoff

between an urbanized area and a pre-development site
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Rainfall Intensity in Singapore is Increasing

Statistics over the past 40 years (1980 to 2020) show a trend towards higher
rainfall intensities

Annual maximum 60-min rainfall shows an upward trend of 1.2mm per

decade (not statistically significant)
Source: MSS
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Sea Levels are Rising

The Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) has also projected rising sea
levels due to climate change
• Based on IPCC RCP 8.5, end-century (2070 – 2099) mean sea-level rise
projections relative to baseline period ranges from 0.45m to 1.02m^
• Increased flood risks, especially in low-lying areas

Projected Sea Level Rise

1.20

1.00
Range of RCP
8.5 sea level
0.80
projections
0.60 from an
0.40
ensemble of
models
0.20

0.00
2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100

RCP 8.5 (Lower) RCP 8.5 (Median) RCP 8.5 (Upper)

^ Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), global mean sea levels in year 2100 are
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projected to rise by 0.52-0.98m under RCP 8.5
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Stormwater Management Strategies

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Strategies in Stormwater
Management

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PUB’s Stormwater Management Strategies

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Strategy 1: Providing Adequate Drainage Ahead of Developments

• PUB works with various developing agencies to identify future/ upcoming major
developments:
➢ Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Concept Plan/ Master Plan/ change in land use
➢ Land Transport Authority infrastructure plans
➢ 10 – 15 years Housing and Industrial Plans
• Early planning allows PUB to secure Drainage Reserves (DR) and put in place drainage
systems ahead of developments

URA Draft Master Plan 2019

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Strategy 1: Providing Adequate Drainage Ahead of Developments

Case Study - Alkaff Lake @ Bidadari New Town
• There were plans to develop Bidadari (former
cemetery) into a new town.

• PUB reviewed the adequacy of the downstream

outlet drains to cater for increase in surface
Bidadari runoff and prevent flooding in the surrounding
low-lying estates.

• Happy Avenue outlet drain was found to be

inadequate. However it was not feasible to
upgrade the drain due to land constraints.

Happy Avenue Outlet Drain

Happy Ave Outlet Drain is sandwiched

between 2 rows of private houses

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Strategy 1: Providing Adequate Drainage Ahead of Developments

Case Study - Alkaff Lake @ Bidadari New Town
• As an alternative, PUB worked with the relevant developing agencies to plan for
a stormwater retention pond “Alkaff Lake” within the Bidadari New Town.

• The retention pond is designed to attenuate the peak surface runoff generated
from the new development site and to regulate its stormwater discharge at a
pre-development level (i.e. runoff coefficient of 0.45).

The stormwater retention pond is sited within the future park and it doubles up as a recreational
and leisure spot for the residents.

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Strategy 2: Stipulating Drainage and Flood Protection Requirements

Code of Practice (COP) on Surface Water Drainage – 7th Edition (2018) with
amendments under Addendum No. 1 – Apr 2021

For Development Control, PUB checks land developments for provision of adequate
drainage facilities and flood protection measures in accordance with the requirements
stipulated in the latest edition of the COP

Structural Measures Mechanical & Electrical

Measures

Platform level /
reclamation level control
Flood barriers

Crest protection

Pumped drainage
system
for basement &
Surface drains underground facilities

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Minimum Platform Level (MPL)

Minimum Platform Level (MPL) refers to the minimum ground level of a

development

The MPL is determined based on:

➢ Location (Northern or Southern Coast)

• 4.5m above SHD* for northern coast
• 4.0m above SHD* for southern coast

➢ Type of development
• 300mm/600mm/1000mm above adjacent road or ground levels

whichever is higher

*SHD: Singapore Height Datum

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Minimum Crest Level

Crest refers to a physical barrier which prevents ingress of storm water into
underground facilities
Crest: 150/300mm

It is required for entrances, exits or any openings Platform level

to a basement, tunnel or underground facility Basement

level

Hump leading to basement carpark Stairs leading to Newton MRT station entrance

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Flood Barriers
For developments with constraints, flood barriers and gates provide at least the
same level of flood protection that the minimum platform and/or crest levels would
provide for the building

Before

Before

After
After

Automated flood barriers Stackable flood barriers

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Pumped Drainage System serving Basement Facilities

(1) Underground facilities shall be
designed to prevent any ingress of
stormwater

Swan neck connection

to surface drains
Minimise catchment
open to sky
Crest protection
at the entrances

Cut-off drains to
prevent ingress
Pump sump with
pumping facilities

(2) Where ingress of storm water cannot be completely prevented, minimise source catchment
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and an adequate pumped drainage system shall be provided
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Drainage Design Standards

▪ In 2011, we raised the drainage design standard from 5-year return period (i.e storms with
a 20% chance of occurrence in any given year) to 10 to 50-year return period.

Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves for Singapore

▪ In 2017, we included another 25% increase in rainfall due to climate change

 Strategy 3: Continuous Upgrading of Drainage Infrastructure

• PUB review our drainage systems to meet the required design standard.

• We have spent $2bil on drainage works in the last decade, and reduced
Singapore’s flood prone areas from 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to 28 hectares
today. We plan to invest another $1.4bil over the next 5 years.

• Our drainage improvement programme is driven by three main factors:

Structural
Flood Prevention Flood Alleviation
Rehabilitation

• Construct new • Improve existing • Upgrade drains to

drains/ upgrade drainage system to restore structural
drains to convey relief flooding integrity of drains
additional stormwater situation to the with poor structural
runoff to support new affected roads and conditions
developments developments

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 Strategy 3: Continuous Upgrading of Drainage Infrastructure
• Drainage improvement works include widening/ deepening,
constructing diversion canals, and catchment level detention systems

Major Canal & Waterways Outlet Drains Roadside Drains

Before

After

Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal Sungei Pandan Kechil Seraya Crescent
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Sustainable Stormwater Management Approach

- Source-Pathway-Receptor
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New Paradigm Shift: Holistic Source-Pathway-Receptor Approach

• Adopted since 2011

• Catchment-wide
solutions that goes
beyond expanding
drains.

• Builds flexibility and

adaptability in
drainage system.

• Developers/owners
to also play their
part.

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What is Source-Pathway-Receptor?

SOURCE
Areas where Underground detention tank at
Dry pond with underground
runoff is detention tank at Greenwood
Boon Lay Meadows
Sanctuary
generated

Measures to Manage Peak

Runoff
- Structural detention tank
- ABC Water Designs
Features :
❑ Retention ponds
❑ Wetlands
❑ Bioretention
basin/swales
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Rain Garden Bioretention Swale at Lower Seletar
at Balam Estate Reservoir
“Source” measure to control peak runoff to public drains
Since 2014, developments greater than or equal to 0.2 ha are required to control the
peak runoff discharged (C =0.55) from the affected development area into the public
drains.
Minimum detention
volume required
Runoff
(cubic metres
per sec)
Peak flow for a coefficient of 0.80

Maximum Allowable Peak Runoff

Peak flow for a coefficient of 0.55

Peak flow for a coefficient of 0.45

Runoff pattern for an

Runoff pattern for undeveloped site
a developed site

Time

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“Source” measure to control peak runoff to public drains

WITHOUT SOURCE MEASURES WITH SOURCE MEASURES Green features

(e.g. rain
garden)
Detention tank

About 80% - 90% of rainwater that falls Detention tank and rain gardens will slow
on the site is translated into surface runoff down and detain runoff on site, reducing
and discharged immediately during a peak runoff by 25 to 35%.
storm

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What is Source-Pathway-Receptor?

Rochor Canal – Completed in 2015

Before After

PATHWAY Stamford Diversion Canal and Stamford Detention Tank -

Completed in 2018
Channels that
runoff flows
through

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What is Source-Pathway-Receptor?

Raised Platform/Crest Levels and Flood Barriers

Stairs leading to Newton MRT Traffic hump leading to

RECEPTOR station entrance basement carpark
Areas where
floodwaters
may flow to Automated flood barriers at
Liat Towers

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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal

Orchard Road Floods in 2010/2011

-Singapore’s main shopping belt

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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal

• Significant sections of Stamford

Canal run beneath developments
e.g. Plaza Singapura, 313 Somerset,
Orchard Central etc.

Plaza Singapura extension building

Overhead bridge link overstructure
Stamfordover Stamford
Canal Canal Hotel
linking Traders
and Tanglin Mall

Simply not feasible to upgrade

Stamford Canal!!

What can we do?

www.pub.gov.sg Building structure over Stamford Canal at 313 Somerset

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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal
Holistic approach to reduce flood risk to Orchard Road: Catchment-
level
detention tank

Flood barriers

Raise structural
Diversion levels of
Canal buildings & roads
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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal

Stamford Diversion Canal (completed in 2018) Stamford Detention Tank (completed in 2018)

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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal
Raising of Orchard Road (October 2010 – June 2011)

Low-lying stretch of
Orchard Road raised by 30cm

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Source-Pathway-Receptor
Case Study: Flood Protection Strategy for Stamford Canal
“Receptor” measures by building owners to improve flood protection:
• Flood barriers
• Raised platform levels
Wisma Atria:
Raised platform
level has replaced
flood gates

Now: greater protection

with raised platform

Forum The Shopping Mall:

Installed flood gates

In the past:
flood gates

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Sustainable Stormwater Management Approach

- ABC Waters Programme
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Sustainable approach towards stormwater management

Utilitarian drainage design Multi-functional drainage design and employing the use
of natural treatment system of plants and soil to slow
down and cleanse stormwater runoff

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Active, Beautiful & Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme
Long-term strategic initiative to
transform Singapore’s utilitarian
drains and canals into beautiful
streams, rivers and lakes that are
well-integrated with the surrounding
environment and bring
Singaporeans closer to water so
that they can appreciate and cherish
this precious resource
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ACTIVE
Providing new community and recreational spaces
BEAUTIFUL
Improving the aesthetics of the urban environment
CLEAN
Improving water quality through:
a) Natural cleansing features
b) Public education by building closer
people-water relations
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ABC Waters Programme

Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal Jurong Lake

Sungei Pandan Kechil Sungei Serangoon Sungei Simpang Kanan

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 Integrating Blue & Green to create multi-functional spaces / benefits
Before - Built in 1979 Current During heavy rain, 2021

“…Turn Singapore into a City of Gardens and Water”

www.pub.gov.sg – PM Lee, ABC Waters Public Exhibition - Feb 2007
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ABC Waters management strategy

Traditional
storm water
management

ABC Waters
management
strategy:
Distributed
system to detain
and treat runoff

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ABC Waters Design Features

Rain garden Vegetated swales Floating Wetland
- Sg Pandan Kechil - Waterway Ridges - Jurong Lake

Constructed Wetlands
- Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal (Holland Plain) Cleansing Biotope
- Kallang River @ Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park

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Three pronged approach

3P (People, Public,
Private)
Promote adoption Partnership
of the ABC Waters Approach
Development of concept Involve the community
to take ownership of
ABC Waters Engage public agencies
& private developers to the projects
Master Plan &
implementation incorporate ABC Waters
of ABC Waters design in their projects
projects
Funding and
implementation of the
projects in phases

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Challenges faced in implementation

Getting buy-in from public agencies
Problem
• Different agencies with different objectives
• Hard to achieve an integrated design
Incentivising Developers
Problem
• No incentive for agencies/developers to undertake
such ABC Waters projects
• Lack of knowledge in the industry
Solution
• Increasing awareness of the benefits
• Merging of boundaries with support from top
management
Solution
• Develop a set of ABC Waters design guidelines and
engineering procedures
• Provide recognition via the ABC Waters certification

ABC Waters project is multi-disciplinary in nature

Problem Solution
• More effort to implement compared to normal • Multi-disciplinary team for design and construction
landscaping stage, as well as early upfront consultation to ensure
an integrated design can be achieved.
Proof of concept
Problem Solution
• No evidence to support the treatment objectives for • Implement pilot small scale projects to validate the
stormwater runoff science
• Investing in continual R&D projects to increase the
knowledge on such ABC Waters design features

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Promoting adoption of the ABC Waters concept

Strategy Method
Proof-of- Carry out pilot projects on ABC
concept Waters Design Features

Setting the ABC Waters Design Guidelines

standards and Engineering Procedures

Incentivising ABC Waters Certification Scheme

Trainings, seminars, talks

Building
industry Tertiary education
capacity ABC Waters Professional
Programme

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3P Partnership Approach
Participation in the design process, consulting Familiarisation Tours & Educational Signs
stakeholders and the grassroots

Learning Trail Schools

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Flood Management & Response

 Flood Management and Response
• In Singapore, flash floods arising from intense rainfall are localised and most will subside
within an hour.

• Not practical to keep widening and deepening public drains to cater for extreme events.

• PUB focuses on enhancing our flood response to keep public out of harm’s way.

• PUB also issues flood advisories ahead of monsoon season, reminding building owners to
– Maintain their flood protection measures
– Submit annual declaration that flood protection measures have been checked by
Qualified Persons and found to be in good working order

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Flood Response by PUB – Keep Public Out of Harm’s Way

24/7 Flood Monitoring at

PUB Quick Response Team
PUB Joint Ops Centre
• Divert traffic during floods

• Assist residents during floods

• Carry out post flood

investigation

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Using Technology to improve Flood Monitoring & Public Preparedness

• Provide heavy rain alerts, real-time
water level in the canals (sensors)
and road update of flash flood
(CCTVs) to improve public
preparedness via:
− Radio stations
− PUB Homepage
− MyENV mobile app
• Provide SMS alert service on Heavy
Rain Warning and high water levels in
drain or canal for members of public to
subscribe
SMS Alert Service

− Social media (Facebook, Twitter,

Telegram)

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Key Takeaways
1) Provide adequate drainage ahead of developments through early planning with
developing agencies

2) Stipulate drainage & flood protection requirements during development control

to ensure developments are protected from flood risk

3) Adopt holistic catchment wide approach – “Source-Pathway-Receptor” to

mitigate flood risk from increased weather uncertainties and urbanisation

4) Integrate sustainable stormwater management (ABC Waters concept) with

urban planning where possible

5) Improve flood monitoring and management using technology

6) Engage stakeholders to build capacity for community resilience and

stewardship of our water resources

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Thank You

Marina Barrage – Reservoir in the City

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