A DREAM 20 years in the making unfolds on Saturday with the opening of the Marina Barrage to the public.

This dam has created Marina Reservoir, the 15th reservoir here and the first one in the heart of the city, which will move Singapore towards self-sufficiency in water: With its debut, the portion of the country's land area used for water catchment goes up from half to two-thirds.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who officially opened the facility at sundown on Friday, noted that, aside from increasing the nation's supply of potable water, it will also control floods and become the newest venue for activities by and on the water in this crowded city.

Ensuring an adequate and secure supply of water has long been a national priority in this country which does not have enough water for its own needs. By working towards self-sufficiency, Singapore had turned its 'vulnerability into a capability', he said.

The country is now known for its expertise in water management; its water engineering companies have bagged contracts to build water facilities the world over, he added in his speech to 4,000 government officials, industry players and ordinary Singaporeans.

He said: 'Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces. Singaporeans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is.'

The idea of damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater lake came from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in 1987, when he was Prime Minister. That was the year the massive clean-up of the Singapore River was completed, and fish had returned to it.

Building the barrage was the next challenge he gave the nation.

With its being open, it will control flooding in the low-lying areas of Chinatown, Boat Quay and Jalan Besar.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.