NEW STRUCTURE INDUSTRIAL FACILITY
TUAS WATER RECLAMATION PLANT
BUILDING FIVE SHAFTS UP
TO A DEPTH OF 84M
The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
(DTSS) is a waste-water superhighway
for the future; it has deep tunnels that
convey waste-water entirely by gravity
to three centralised treatment plants
strategically-placed at coastal locations.
Koh Brothers China Harbour Joint
Venture was awarded the C2A contract
for phase two of the project of which the
Tuas Water Reclamation Plant is a key
component. It will convey waste water
from the western part of Singapore to
the Tuas plant for treatment.
This plant has five shafts through which
wastewater from the deep tunnels
is pumped to the treatment units.
Extending up to 84m, the diaphragm
wall shafts are among the deepest
ever constructed in Singapore.
To build these five shafts, VSL was
selected because of its knowledge and
SINGAPORE
experience of diaphragm-wall (D-wall)
works built up over many years within its DATE
ground engineering business line. 2019 - 2021
In total, VSL built 724m of diaphragm LOCATION
wall with depths ranging from 42m to Singapore
84m below surface level, and including
150 D-wall panels with 5,150 tonnes of OWNER
rebar fixed and installed. Public Utilities Board (PUB)
Singapore
At its peak, the project had approximately
140 people on site; up to 50 staff and MAIN CONTRACTOR
specialised supervision, as well as 90 Koh Brothers China Harbour Joint
operatives. Around 25 personnel from Venture
the Hong Kong technical team were
present as part of the staff. ENGINEER
Jacobs
VSL brought a strong safety culture
and high production rate to the project, DESIGNER
as well as meeting the challenge of the Golders and Associates
D-wall construction. The project has an
initial treatment capacity of 800,000m3
of water per day – the equivalent of 320
Olympic-sized swimming pools.
/ JOB REPORTS 2021
SCOPE OF WORKS
The construction of the diaphragm walls
for the five shafts, including excavation and
material installation
Guidewall construction including materials
This world-first “integrated waste The work started in September
and water treatment facility” 2019 and was completed in April
will be energy self-sufficient. This 2021.
is predicted to save more than
200,000 tonnes of CO2 every year,
the equivalent of taking 42,500 cars
off Singapore’s roads.

Cutting, bending and fixing steel rebar cages

Disposal of waste bentonite

Trench stability calculations

Development of shop drawings for the D-wall

panels

KEY FIGURES
— Total length of 724m of diaphragm wall,
1.2m thick, with depths ranging from
42m to 84m below surface level.
— Number of diaphragm-wall panels: 150
— Total concrete placed: Approximately
50,000m³.
— Total excavation of S2 rock: 16,000m³.
— Total reinforcing steel: 5,150 tonnes.

In total, VSL built 724m of diaphragm wall with depths ranging from 42m to 84m below surface level, and including 150 D-wall panels.

JOB REPORTS 2021 /