Western Water Catchment

Tengeh Reservoir

Tengeh Reservoir (Chinese: 登格蓄水池) was formerly a river, Sungei Tengeh, which emptied into the Straits of Johor and was dammed to become a reservoir in the early 1980s (which is part of 'Western Water Catchment Scheme'). Construction of the reservoir began on 11 March 1977.^[6]

Tengeh Reservoir is part of the SAFTI Live Firing Area (South) and has restricted access since 19 January 1992,^[7] where possible there are two bridges at the ends of the vicinity. One is for road at the western end called "Wrexham Bridge", which is just a road bridge which connects Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim and Wrexham Drive, next to Tuas Checkpoint and one is for walking at the eastern end next to Pasir Laba Road and Tengeh Pumping Station. The western end of Pasir Laba Road is also located at the Elephant West Hill, where it becomes Wrexham Drive straightaway. The Chinese name of the reservoir sounds similar to the English one.

On 11 April 1991, there was a naked body of a woman floating in the reservoir.^[8]

The southern side of Tengeh Reservoir is the Raffles Country Club, and the golf areas can see the reservoir clearly. The Raffles Country Club construction began on 29 October 1987. The government of Singapore has made the second large acquisition of land for the project by requiring Raffles Country Club to vacate its plot as the site offers the "most suitable location" to run the HSR tracks after the bridge crossing and to place the tunnel portal leading to the underground tunnels that would take the HSR to the Jurong East terminus. The site has to be vacated by July 31, 2018, to be used for HSR crossover tracks and a siding facility to temporarily house a train near the border for safety or operational reasons.^[9]

On 3 November 2011, Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Economic Development Board (EDB), had decided to install floating solar panel at Tengeh Reservoir, which is part of S$11 million project. This is the first solar panel to be at the reservoir/river, and Western Water Catchment (Located at Wrexham Village).^[10]

Poyan Reservoir

Poyan Reservoir (Chinese: 波扬蓄水池; Malay: Tadahan Air Poyan) was previously part of the river Sungei Poyan and its delta, which was dammed to become a reservoir. Sungei Poyan emptied into the Straits of Johor. Construction of the reservoir began in 11 March 1977.^[6]

On 27 April 1984, two men were fined for trespassing into the live firing area.^[11] On 14 February 1991, two men were fined $1,000 for fishing in a live firing area off Pasir Laba Road. On 17 August 1991, two RSAF pilots were killed at Poyan Reservoir.

It is part of SAFTI Live Firing Area (South), which has restricted access.^[7] There are two restricted access gates at the end of Old Choa Chu Kang Road for connection to either end of Poyan Reservoir, as the road is quite narrow (is only accessible to pedestrians, bicycles and all military vehicles), together with the Lorong Danau (between Chua Chu Kang Camp and Jalan Sungei Poyan). Access to the reservoir was restricted since December 1999. At the end of Old Choa Chu Kang Road, there are several shared bicycles (Ofo and Obike) being parked from the bus stop to the narrow road.^[12] The future training outfield, SAFTI City (formerly Poyan Court) will also be located there.^[13]

At the reservoir, only the Mobility 3rd Generation raft is deployed to load and unload military vehicles when crossing from the western side to the eastern side.

Murai Reservoir

Murai Reservoir (Chinese: 慕莱蓄水池; pinyin: Mù lái xù shuǐ chí) was formerly Sungei Murai, which was dammed in early 1980s, to create a reservoir. Construction work had begun on November 1977.^[6]

It is part of SAFTI Live Firing Area (North), of which is restricted to only from the TRMC Operations Room.^[7] The Murai Urban Training Facility is east of Murai Reservoir, which can be accessed through Jalan Murai from Lim Chu Kang Road, together with the Murai Urban Live Firing Facility (MULFF).^[14]

There is also a road east of Murai Urban Training Facility which goes from Lim Chu Kang Road to Jalan Murai, called Murai Farmway. Only Murai Farmway and part of Jalan Murai is opened to the public. Access to the area and the reservoir has been restricted since October 1999. Murai North has four dirt roads named (with Lim Chu Kang Tracks 11 & 13).

Sarimbun Reservoir

Sarimbun Reservoir (Chinese: 莎琳汶蓄水池) was constructed by damming Sungei Sarimbun and widening of Sungei Karang, Sungei Hantu, and Sungei Sarimbun.^[15] Construction work began in November 1977.^[6]

It is part of SAFTI Live Firing Area in the north, which has restricted access since 19 January 1992 and only accessible through the TRMC Operations Room.^[7] The public can cut through from Bahtera Track to enter Sarimbun Reservoir area.

Sarimbun was where General Tomoyuki Yamashita landed his troops during World War II, and was engaged in the Battle of Sarimbun Beach. Sarimbun is also home to many small vegetable and fruit farms and health farms. These farms are normally owned by local entrepreneurs. Sarimbun also hosts multiple permanent campsites, especially on Jalan Bahtera. These campsites include the Singapore Scout Association's Sarimbun Campsite, Girl Guides Singapore's Camp Christine, and Ministry of Education's Jalan Bahtera Adventure Centre.

Etymology

Pulau Bajau means Bajau island, in which Bajau is an indigenous ethnic group residing in Sabah, eastern Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and parts of Sarawak.