The newly upgraded Choa Chu Kang Waterworks was named Water Project of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2020, said national water agency PUB yesterday.
The awards recognise the most important achievements in the international water industry, including improved operating performance, innovative technology adoption and sustainable financial models.
The other projects in the running for the Water Project of the Year award were the Montevina Water Treatment Plant Upgrade in the United States, Putatan 2 Drinking Water Plant in the Philippines, and Tai Po Water Treatment Works Expansion in Hong Kong.
The award is the PUB's third consecutive win at the prestigious annual Global Water Awards, established by publisher and events organiser Global Water Intelligence since 2006.
Last year, the PUB-owned Tuas Desalination Plant won the Desalination Plant of the Year award, while Ulu Pandan Wastewater Treatment Demonstration Plant was named Water/Wastewater Project of the Year in 2018.
Built in two phases in 1975 and 1981, Choa Chu Kang Waterworks is one of Singapore's oldest water treatment plants.
Despite its age, the plant houses the largest ceramic membrane system in the world, following an extensive three-year upgrade that started in 2016 and cost $162 million.
The ceramic membrane system is more efficient at removing suspended particles from raw water than the plant's previous sand filtration system.
The plant has a capacity of up to 80 million gallons (302.8 million litres) a day, enough to fill about 145 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
It treats water from the Kranji, Pandan and Tengeh reservoirs before it is delivered to taps in homes, businesses and industries.
Mr Ng Joo Hee, PUB's chief executive, said: "Our challenge in Singapore is to treat economically, to drinking water standards, the run-off in what we believe is the most urbanised catchment in the world.
"The deployment of ceramic membranes in Choa Chu Kang Waterworks, at scale and currently the largest in the world, makes this almost a breeze.
"We are happy to have helped push the envelope in water treatment and are most grateful for the recognition."
