PUB has launched two requests for proposals (RFPs) after receiving S$51 million from Singapore's National Research Foundation under the Competitive Funding for Water Research (CWR) programme.

This comes as part of Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 Plan, where the government has budgeted S$25 billion for science and technology-related research and innovation over five years from 2021.

In a press release on Monday, the national water agency said its latest round of funding marks the fourth tranche of RIE funds received by PUB.

Highlighting the CWR programme as part of the larger Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) strategy to "develop and commercialise cutting-edge water technologies to cement Singapore's position as a global hydrohub", PUB said it intends to use the fresh funds to develop innovative and high-impact solutions to meet national water needs over the next five years.

Under the RIE 2025 CWR programme, it has launched two RFPs which opened on Sept 13 and close on Nov 26, 2021. Interested applicants may also sign up for an RFP information session on Sept 24 before the registration deadline on Sept 21.

Through the first RFP themed "Recovering chemicals and minerals from the water loop", PUB is seeking technologies and solutions to two categories of what it deems "useful resources". These comprise chemicals needed in water and used water treatment processes from local waste streams, as well as rare metals relevant to industries from seawater desalination brine.

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The second RFP, "Projecting the impacts of climate change on Singapore's water system", aims to study the impact that climate change will have on the Singapore water system for the next 10, 20 and 40 years to guide the formulation of future adaptation strategies.

While the study will address two focus areas - namely the impact of climate change on water quality and PUB infrastructure - PUB said applicants are also free to propose other areas of study. This however excludes areas related to flooding and coastal protection, where separate studies are already ongoing.

"As the effects of climate (change) become increasingly pronounced, there is a need to study and address the longer-term impacts of climate change on Singapore's water systems, including its effects on various water sources such as the local catchment, seawater and NEWater as well as water infrastructure," said PUB chief engineering and technology officer, Pang Chee Meng.

"We look forward to receiving proposals with novel and scalable solutions that will help us meet present and future water needs, in order to build a resilient and sustainable water system in Singapore."