Southeast Asian (SEA) countries have been facing heightened water pollution and water scarcity in recent times. This has been triggered by increased industrialisation and inefficient management of industrial wastewater. Their governments have been enforcing stringent norms to tackle the rampant discharge of untreated wastewater into waterbodies. This industrial wastewater often comprises heavy metals like nickel, chromium, lead and others that are non-biodegradable and have a toxic impact on the environment and living organisms. Therefore, there is a pressing need to systematically treat industrial wastewater before its discharge.
To this end, advanced technologies and processes like seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO)-based desalination, advanced membrane-based technologies, moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), and others are being adopted in SEA countries. Many industries like textiles, tanning, pharmaceuticals, distilling, etc., in the region are also leaning towards the adoption of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems. It is a wastewater treatment process that recycles or evaporates wastewater to eliminate its discharge into waterbodies.
SWRO-based desalination
SWRO-based desalination is being implemented on a large scale in SEA countries across various industrial projects. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that helps to remove salts, rare metals and nutrients from seawater. In a recent development, SUEZ has collaborated with JEMCO, a leading construction firm, to design, build and operate a large-scale SWRO desalination plant in Metro Iloilo, Philippines. The plant is expected to be the largest of its kind in the Philippines, producing approximately 66,500 cubic metres of drinking water daily. This will cater to the water requirement of nearly 50,000 households and provide industrial water to a nearby power plant.
Similarly, Singapore has been successfully using NEWater, which is high-grade reclaimed water generated from treated water through membrane technologies. A new NEWater factory is expected to replace the Bedok factory in Singapore. It will generate around 50 million gallons of treated water per day through RO purification. This treated water will be supplied mainly to wafer fabrication plants, industrial units and commercial buildings. The new factory will improve the recovery rate of NEWater from the present 75 per cent to 90 per cent. It is expected to be completed in 2026.
Advanced membrane-based technologies
The advanced industrial wastewater treatment processes integrated with advanced membrane-based technologies such as nanofiltration and ultrafiltration have been gaining momentum in SEA countries. These are pressure-driven membranes that segregate dissolved solutes from a liquid. An important related example in SEA is Hitachi’s new water project for Pasay City, Philippines, which uses ultrafiltration, along with RO and ultraviolet disinfection to treat industrial wastewater.
The use of membrane bioreactor methods has also seen a rise in recent times. It integrates both the physical separation of solids using ultrafiltration and the biological decomposition of contaminants using microorganisms. Recently, Singapore’s PUB has engaged Black and Veatch to conduct a study and to supervise the building of the Jurong MBR plant in Singapore. It will be located at the Jurong Water Reclamation Plant near the industrial hub in Jurong Island. It will have a capacity of 15 million imperial gallons per day. The treated watercan be reused by industries for cooling and other uses. Nalco Water has also completed a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Shell Jurong Island, Singapore. It utilises ultrafiltration along with an RO system. The WWTP is fully automated and has the capacity to treat and reuse around 24,000 cubic metres of wastewater per month.
Advanced membranes like ceramic membranes are also challenging the use of traditional polymeric membranes and media-based filtration technologies in industrial wastewater treatment. Such advanced membranes offer various benefits owing to their reduced equipment size, low energy requirements and low capital costs. Amongst the projects adopting this membrane, the under-construction Tuas water reclamation plant in Singapore will be using ceramic membranes to treat 150,000 cubic metres of industrial wastewater every day. It is expected to be operational in 2026.
Other mature technologies and ZLD systems
One of the popular biological water treatment methods being deployed in SEA is advanced MBBR technology. It helps to remove organic substances in wastewater. The method involves filling the reactor with thousands of biofilm carriers (plastic balls) that protect the bacteria used to break down pollutants in the wastewater. A diffuser grid produces the air required to effectively disperse the biofilm carriers and provides aeration for biofilm growth. Some key private players offering this technology include EnviroSource and Levapour in Malaysia.
Many industrial WWTPs and desalination projects across SEA are also aiming towards the adoption of ZLD systems. These systems incorporate mechanical vapour recompression (MVR)-based vacuum evaporators and crystallisers as their main treatment technologies. MVR focuses on evaporation of water vapour from the effluents. This is obtained through a low-speed centrifugal fan which increases the saturation temperature of the water vapour. This technology is advantageous due to its low energy consumption and environmentally friendly process owing to the elimination of a boiler. Furthermore, crystallisation involves the formation of crystals of a soluble substance from a hot saturated solution. It enables the separation of the soluble solid from the solution. The crystallisers in this process have the ability to remove wastewater completely and, therefore, lead to ZLD. Companies like Thermax offer ZLD solutions to SEA countries.
Moreover, there are increasing efforts to adopt digital technologies in wastewater treatment in SEA countries. In Indonesia, for instance, large utilities and those run by private operators like Schneider Electric Indonesia are using sensors, internet of things-based devices and data analytics to enable real-time monitoring and control of industrial wastewater systems.
The way forward
The uptake of industrial wastewater technologies in SEA countries has opened new potential avenues and opportunities in the industrial wastewater market. Conventional techniques frequently depend on routine sampling and manual intervention. This makes the whole process susceptible to human error whereas new-age technologies streamline these processes. The emerging artificial intelligence-driven techniques offer innovative possibilities like identification of impurities, optimisation of treatment parameters and prediction of equipment failures in advance.
These advanced wastewater treatment technologies are more reliable and efficient because of their ability to continuously adapt to changing conditions of contamination. The future capabilities in the industrial wastewater segment include the incorporation of precise mechanical filtration techniques crucial for efficient, economical and sustainable wastewater treatment.
In the coming years, continuous upgradation of SEA’s industrial wastewater treatment infrastructure is necessary to bridge the present gaps. This requires close collaboration between governments, private players, research organisations and multilateral institutions. The uptake of smart technologies will help in optimising the operation of industrial wastewater treatment systems.
Connecting Transit
Integrating last-mile connectivity in SEA
There has been significant growth and transformation in urban rail systems in Southeast Asia (SEA) in recent years, playing a crucial role in addressing urbanisation challenges and enhancing public transportation networks. While the region currently has a limited number of operational projects, including Singapore’s mass rapid transit (MRT) system, Kuala Lumpur’s light rail transit (LRT) and MRT systems in Malaysia, Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT (Thailand), Jakarta’s MRT (Indonesia) and Manila’s LRT and MRT systems in the Philippines, numerous new projects are either in the planning or construction phases. These upcoming initiatives, along with expansion plans for existing systems, are poised to shape the future of urban transit in SEA.
However, the true potential of these developments may remain unfulfilled if they fail to address the critical issue of “last-mile connectivity”. This gap can significantly impact the convenience and accessibility of urban rail systems, which will affect seamless travel for passengers and reduce the overall effectiveness of these transit networks in connecting commuters to their final destinations.
Southeast Asia Infrastructure takes a look at recent advancements in SEA for last-mile connectivity…
Indonesia
Since the launch of the Jakarta MRT, numerous measures have been adopted to improve first- and last-mile connectivity in the region. The project’s relatively limited coverage led many commuters to rely on private vehicles, adding to the very congestion the MRT was designed to alleviate.
To address this issue, the Indonesian government has been using ride-hailing services as a complementary solution, improving connectivity and enhancing the overall travel experience for MRT passengers.
As of 2024, one in five trips in Jakarta either begins or ends at a public transportation hub. One of the prominent players in this area is Gojek, which has been providing various bike and car services to extend the reach of Jakarta’s transportation network, enabling residents within a 5 km radius to rely on public transit for their daily commutes.
Further, estimates by the company indicate that when users combine public transportation with these bikes and services, end-to-end travel times are reduced by 40 per cent during morning rush hours and 30 per cent in the afternoon, compared to driving directly from their starting point to their destination.
Malaysia
Urban areas in Malaysia also face significant challenges due to high traffic congestion, air quality and mobility issues. With the urban population expected to rise substantially in the coming decades, micromobility is the way forward to transform urban congestion, reduce carbon emissions and move towards a connected society.
To solve the issue of last-mile connectivity, the Malaysian government has proposed a number of solutions. For instance, the government plans to increase the modal share of public transport to 40 per cent by 2030 and to invest in infrastructure that supports micromobility, in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan. Some of the key recommendations include clear regulatory roles for federal and local governments, a standardised legal framework for e-scooters, dedicated lanes on high-speed roads, and the conversion of car parks into e-scooter reserved parking at strategic locations like MRT/LRT stations. Financial incentives include subsidies and grants to municipalities to develop micromobility infrastructure, as outlined in the 2023 guidelines on micromobility lanes.
In August 2024, plans were announced for the procurement of 300 new vans to enhance its demand responsive transit service, aiming to improve first- and last-mile connectivity within Malaysia’s public transport network. The initial batch of vans is expected to arrive in December 2024, with full deployment by July 2025. Currently, nine corridors in the Klang Valley and one route in Penang are served by 20 vans, with plans to gradually increase routes as new vehicles are delivered.
Singapore
Singapore’s MRT system forms the backbone of its public transport network, featuring six lines with over 130 stations and approximately 200 km of rail lines connecting the island.
Expansions to the MRT system are ongoing, with plans to introduce new lines to improve accessibility for passengers across the region. In February 2024, SBS Transit and GetGo, a Singapore-based car-sharing platform, signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance first- and last-mile connectivity. This partnership integrates GetGo’s car-sharing services with SBS Transit’s bus and rail network, providing commuters with flexible options to bridge the gap between transit stations and their final destinations. This collaboration aligns with Singapore’s Land Transport Master Plan 2040, which aims to boost public transport usage and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Thailand
Thailand’s urban rail transit systems are anchored by an extensive network in the Bangkok metropolitan region, featuring nine rapid transit rail lines. Key systems include the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain, the MRT, comprising the Blue, Purple and Yellow Lines, and the Light Red and Dark Red commuter rail lines.
Tuk-tuks have long played a vital role in last-mile connectivity across the region, efficiently transporting passengers to remote destinations alongside the bus rapid transit (BRT) system. For instance, MuvMi, a pioneering service in Bangkok, Thailand, connects electric three-wheeler tuk-tuks with a ride-hailing platform to facilitate first- and last-mile transportation. This innovative service is becoming popular among users, who can also choose to share rides with others heading in the same direction. Further, in early 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and BANPU Public Company Limited signed a THB 2.4-billion loan to finance 1,500 six-seater electric tuk-tuks and related charging stations for micro-scale transit services in Bangkok. Similarly, in April 2024, the Bangkok metropolitan administration engaged the Bangkok mass transit system to deliver 23 electric buses with dual-side doors and low floors for better accessibility. Additionally, the BRT route was extended by 2 km to connect Sathon Road to Rama IV Road, enabling seamless transfers to the MRT Blue Line at Lumpini station.
Moving ahead
Last-mile connectivity remains crucial due to its ability to address several pressing challenges. High population levels in cities across the SEA region often lead to traffic congestion and limited parking space; however, improving connectivity to public transport can encourage more people to switch from private vehicles which will help tackle both issues. It also promotes inclusivity by ensuring that new and upcoming public transport is accessible to people living beyond walking distance from transit stations, allowing them to complete their journeys seamlessly.
While progress in last-mile connectivity across SEA is evident, significant challenges must be addressed to ensure that the full potential of urban transit systems is realised. Infrastructure development, especially in rapidly urbanising cities, requires substantial investment and advanced planning to integrate last-mile solutions seamlessly with existing transit networks.
As cities in the SEA region continue to expand their urban rail systems, integrating inclusive and efficient last-mile strategies will be key to promoting sustainable mobility and ensuring urban transport systems meet the growing demands of the region.
