Jacobs has been appointed by Singapore’s national water agency PUB to deliver a Singapore desalination plant feasibility study, supporting the country’s long-term water security planning.
The study will assess land-optimised and dual-mode desalination designs in one of the world’s most land-constrained urban environments.
Singapore desalination plant study to assess dual-mode operation
The Singapore desalination plant study will examine the viability of a facility capable of treating both seawater and freshwater.
According to Jacobs, the dual-mode approach is intended to improve operational flexibility and weather resilience within Singapore’s water supply system.
PUB announced in December 2025 that it would carry out a feasibility study for a potential new desalination plant. The agency said the study would include plant design options and assess technical feasibility and economic viability.
Land-efficient designs under review
The feasibility study will explore designs that maximise land efficiency. These could include higher multi-storey buildings or deeper basements capable of housing treatment facilities.
Jacobs will provide advisory and feasibility services, including conceptual design development, treatment technology assessment, construction methodology analysis, lifecycle cost evaluation and risk assessment.
The work reflects Singapore’s need to expand water resilience while managing limited land availability.
Jacobs cites Singapore’s water resilience planning
Jacobs President of Global Operations Patrick Hill said: “Singapore is globally recognized for its integrated water management and resilient infrastructure planning. By combining our global desalination and water reuse capabilities with strong local delivery capability, we’re able to explore innovative solutions that optimize scarce land resources while supporting the nation’s future water security needs.”
The appointment builds on Jacobs’ existing work with PUB on water infrastructure in Singapore.
Projects cited by the company include the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System, NEWater facilities, Changi Water Reclamation Plant, Tuas Water Reclamation Plant and the New Kranji Water Reclamation Plant.
Desalination supports Singapore’s long-term water security
Desalinated water is one of Singapore’s “Four National Taps”, alongside local catchment water, imported water and NEWater.
Singapore currently operates five desalination plants. A potential new facility would strengthen the country’s weather-resilient water supply if the project moves beyond feasibility assessment.
Jacobs said its wider desalination and water treatment experience includes projects such as the Sydney Desalination Plant, Gold Coast Desalination Plant, Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, Carlsbad Desalination Plant, Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion and Tuas Desalination Plant.
Singapore International Water Week appearance
Patrick Hill is scheduled to speak at the Singapore International Water Week Titans of Industry session on 16 June.
The session will focus on urban sustainability, resilience and innovation across the global water sector.
For more desalination and water treatment updates, visit the H2O Global News Water Treatment section.
