Group Reflections of the Stations

We went to different stations namely the Heritage Panels, Viewing Gallery, Fishing Jetty, Litter Trap, Rain Garden and the Bioretention Swales. Through these stations we learnt a lot about how the government handles the water bodies in Singapore and the origins of Lower Seletar Reservoir.

Station 1- Heritage Panels 

At our first station, the Heritage Panels, we gained insight about the past of Lower Seletar Reservoir and what it was like before it became a reservoir. The earlier names of Seletar was Srí Lohíta (meaning straits) and in the 19th century people used to grow crops such as pineapple and rubber which they would use to trade for other items such as herbs, tobacco and kerosene along the Seletar River. In the 1920, the Seletar Reservoir was built so as to increase the supply of drinking water to support Singapore’s increasing population and industralisation. As a result of expansion in the 1940 and 1967, the Seletar reservoir ‘s size was greatly increased and it became Singapore’s largest reservoir and also a popular leisure spot. The earlier name of Lower Seletar Reservoir is Sungei Seletar Reservoir which was built in 1986 to further ensure that Seletar Reservoir could hold sufficient water. However in 1992 Seletar Reservoir was renamed Upper Seletar Reservoir and Sungei Seletar Reservoir became what we come to know today as Lower Seletar Reservoir. In 2010, the ABC Waters Programme had changed Lower Seletar Reservoir with the aim of turning Singapore into a city of Gardens and Waters.

Station 2- Viewing Gallery 

At our second station, the Viewing Gallery, we were met by a beautiful structure where we were briefed about later on. The canopies of the viewing gallery are inspired by the fishing nets our ancestors used and the design of this structure was meant to retain the historical value of what our ancestors did and use. As we took a look across the landscape, we saw a lot of people doing various activities such as canoeing, fishing and jogging.

Station 3- Fishing Jetty

At our third station, the Fishing Jetty, we assessed the water quality at Lower Seletar Reservoir and we tested it to see if it could be healthy to the ecosystem and whether it was safe for human consumption. Firstly, we observed and smelled the water as the smell can give a rough indication of pollution sources and give the basic information about the water quality. We observed that there were no particles in the water and no debris on the surface, there was also no odour so therefore our analysis was that it was clean. After that, we observed the colour of the water as it could give a clue on whether there are any dissolved pollutants or bacteria in the water. We observed that the water was greenish yellow in colour and our analysis was that there was algae suspended in the water, which indicates an algal bloom usually caused by high nutrients in the water, fertilisers or organic matter. Later, we tested the turbidity, which is the level of “murkiness”, of the water, this means that there are particles in the water like soil, sediments, algae or other organic matter suspended in the water that affects the amount of light that can penetrate through the water, which can then in turn affect the aquatic plant life. We could observe that the number on the turbidity disc was 40 Jta and we can analyse that the water was slightly turbid. We also measured the temperature of the water which affects the amount of dissolved oxygen, during the time of our reading it was 30-32 degrees celsius and can analyze that it was in the acceptable range. Then, we measured the dissolved oxygen, which is the amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water, the reading was 4ppm (parts per million) and so our analysis was that the amount of oxygen was acceptable. Lastly, we measured the pH level of the water and we got 7-8 pH and we can analyze that the pH level of the water is neutral. In the end, we concluded that the overall quality of the water is clean but we still cannot drink the water from this reservoir as there are other minerals present, like algae and because the water in Lower Seletar Reservoir comes from drains, which affects the water quality.

Station 4- Litter Trap

At our fourth station, the Litter Trap, we observed and studied how this structure helps to reduce the amount of pollution in water collected from water catchment areas going into the reservoir. Simple activities such as cycling and jogging might even cause these waters to be pollution as sometimes we want convenience and would just throw any litter that we have into the reservoir or oceans. This litter trap is placed at the mouth of the canal and it is to ensure that not too much of the polluted river flows into the reservoir. The pollutants such as plastic bags, plastic bottles and sticks will do quite an impact as these pollutant will affect the water quality and might kill marine life. Also, two-thirds of Singapore is now water catchments and the rain falling on these areas are used to supply water for Singapore and we think that everyone should do their part in keeping our drains,ponds and canals clean and unpolluted so that we can get a clean supply of drinking water much easily.

Station 5- Rain Garden

Reaching the final destination of the journey, the Rain Garden , also it is called the bio retention basin, the rain garden here collects, retains and treats rainwater runoff that flows from the park. The filtered rainwater is then further treated and reused in the water play area and wading stream. Approximately 80 square meters in size, the rain garden not only enhances the quality of rainwater runoff, but also promotes biodiversity. About 10 species of plants have been planted here.We made careful observations to the cross section of the rain too.The rain garden is a habit for mostly insects such as butterflies and birds also.Rain gardens provide plants with excessive nutrients and thus as a filter for the water before it is released, this will stop algae growth.