GE, Singapore to set up water research facility
SINGAPORE: US conglomerate General Electric (GE) and a Singapore
university said Thursday they will invest 100 million US dollars in a
research facility aimed at helping solve the world's water problems.
GE Water, a unit of GE Energy, signed an agreement with National
University of Singapore to establish the Singapore Water Technology
Centre at the school's campus, a GE statement said.
The facility will "house GE scientists and engineers who will develop
new solutions for low-energy sea water desalination, water reclamation
and more efficient water use," it said.
It is expected to be fully operational by mid-2009.
About 1.1 billion people now lack access to safe drinking water and
by 2025, about 2.8 billion will be living in water scarce areas, GE
said.
The facility "will focus on solving some of the most pertinent water
challenges, including alleviating the increasing water stress found in
many parts of the world, including regions in China, India and the
Middle East," it said.
Affluent but resource-starved Singapore, which imports much of its
water needs from neighbouring Malaysia, has embarked on a major effort
to use modern technology to achieve self-sufficiency.
Apart from man-made water reservoirs that dot the tiny city-state,
Singapore is already recycling sewage for use in factories and homes. It
is also selling water technology discoveries to the rest of the world.
In June, international water experts, urban development planners,
industry leaders and policy makers will gather in Singapore for a
conference on how to meet the world's future water needs. AFP |