- Empoldering method of land reclamation cuts sand usage by half and includes coastal protection feature

Singapore has reclaimed about 800 hectares of land – the size of about two Toa Payoh towns – at the north-western tip of Pulau Tekong, with the completion of main construction works for Singapore’s first polder. The reclaimed land will be used for military training purposes, freeing up space on the mainland for other uses, such as developing new homes and amenities for Singaporeans.

Polder area at Pulau Tekong in 2016 (left photo: includes material © KARI (2016), distributed by SIIS, all rights reserved), and later in 2024 (right photo; credit: ST Engineering Geo-Insights).

Polder area at Pulau Tekong in 2016 (left photo: includes material © KARI (2016), distributed by SIIS, all rights reserved), and later in 2024 (right photo; credit: ST Engineering Geo-Insights).

Singapore’s First Polder

2 The completion of main construction works for the polder via the empoldering method marks the first time Singapore has reclaimed land below the mean sea level. Compared to the traditional land reclamation method of infilling with sand to reclaim land above sea level, the empoldering method uses less sand. This has resulted in close to 50 percent of savings in sand used for the reclamation.

3 Using this method, a tract of dry land below the surrounding sea level has been created by constructing a coastal dike and a network of drains and water pumping systems, as well as a stormwater collection pond. Together, these features protect the area from rising sea levels and more intense rainfall due to climate change:

A Robust Coastal Dike

The coastal dike is a 10-kilometre long structure that runs along the perimeter of the polder and protects the low-lying polder land from the sea. It stands at up to six metres above mean sea level at its highest point, and allows for the polder land to lie about 1.2 metres below mean sea level. The coastal dike height can be raised if needed, to adapt to future increase in sea levels.

A 10km-long coastal dike protecting the low-lying polder land from the sea (Credit: HDB)

The coastal dike was the first key infrastructure to be completed, as it was necessary to fully enclose the area being reclaimed to manage water levels within the polder. A road that runs along the entire crest of the coastal dike has also been built to facilitate maintenance works. This road, together with another 21 kilometres of roads constructed within the polder land, allow vehicles to safely navigate the polder.
A Comprehensive Water Management System

Due to Singapore’s high rainfall and the polder’s low-lying nature below mean sea level, managing stormwater runoff requires special attention. The polder’s water management system comprises a stormwater collection pond, two pumping stations, and an extensive 45 kilometres of drainage network with more than 30 water control, inlet and outlet structures with gates to manage rainfall.

During dry weather, water is recirculated by pumping water from the stormwater collection pond to the polder drainage network to prevent stagnation.

Drainage network on the polder (Credit: HDB)
Stormwater Collection Pond

When it rains, runoff within the polder and the Pulau Tekong catchment area is conveyed to the 116-hectare stormwater collection pond to mitigate flooding within the polder. When the water level in the stormwater collection pond reaches a pre-set operating level, excess water is channelled to the Drainage Pumping Station to be pumped out into the sea. The stormwater collection pond is designed to hold up to 5 million cubic metres of water, the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Stormwater collection pond (Credit: HDB)
Water Pumping Stations

The Central Pumping Station located next to the stormwater collection pond circulates water in the drains to ensure good water quality, while the Drainage Pumping Station located next to the coastal dike helps to pump excess rainwater into the sea when the stormwater collection pond is full.

Drainage Pumping Station (left; Credit: PUB) and Central Pumping Station (right; Credit: HDB)

4 In designing the coastal dike and its safety provisions, HDB and PUB drew on the deep experience of the Netherlands, which has the world’s highest standards for dike safety, to ensure the long-term viability and safety of the polder land.

5 Singapore will continue to leverage innovation and technology for our reclamation and coastal protection strategies in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Annexes: Annex 1 - Media Factsheet, Annex 2 - Infographic

Singapore’s First Polder at Pulau Tekong Adds 800 Hectares of Land