Background

Retrofitting a Coastal PWCS for Long-Term Reliability

Completed in 2006, the Berth by the Cove is a waterfront 200-unit condominium development in the Southern Islands (District 4) of Singapore, generating on the order of 0.8 tonnes of waste per day.

By 2015, the original pneumatic network had shown significant wear. Greenwave Solutions was engaged to perform a comprehensive retrofit and assume ongoing maintenance of the aging system.

  • By 2015, the original pneumatic system showed significant wear, requiring full retrofit to restore consistent performance.

  • With 30+ tank rooms across the development, regular servicing was critical to sustain reliability and minimise disruption to residents.

Implementation Approach

Greenwave’s scope included a full technical upgrade of the existing mobile pneumatic waste system. In the retrofit, Greenwave’s engineers inspected and overhauled each component of the system.

This work involved replacing or upgrading aging mechanical equipment, including vacuum blowers, pumps, valves, and control units. Pipelines and tank chambers were cleaned and relined to eliminate blockages and restore airtight seals.

The retrofits restored the design vacuum efficiency of the system while preserving the overall layout of the original installation. Greenwave also integrated modern control and monitoring elements to improve system responsiveness and fault detection.

Greenwave applied a structured retrofitting strategy, improving tank room functionality and reinforcing pipeline reliability. By addressing the variability in mobile vacuum truck performance and standardising servicing schedules, the system was stabilised.

Comprehensive maintenance routines were introduced, combining inspection, repair, and preventive measures to ensure uninterrupted operation in a waterfront environment.

“Managing over 30 tank rooms in a suspended scheme required continuous innovation. Our focus on system stability and service reliability has ensured residents enjoy a seamless waste management experience since 2015.”

In summary

Highlights

System Retrofitting and Stabilisation.

  • Upgraded multiple tank rooms to improve consistency.

  • Applied vibration and system adjustments for reliability

Comprehensive Maintenance Regime.

  • Regular inspections and preventive actions were introduced

  • Fault detection protocols established for rapid response

Long-term Operational Focus.

  • Nearly a decade of uninterrupted maintenance service.

  • Sustained waste management despite waterfront challenges

In summary

Highlights

System Retrofitting and Stabilisation.

  • Upgraded multiple tank rooms to improve consistency.

  • Applied vibration and system adjustments for reliability

Comprehensive Maintenance Regime.

  • Regular inspections and preventive actions were introduced

  • Fault detection protocols established for rapid response

Long-term Operational Focus.

  • Nearly a decade of uninterrupted maintenance service.

  • Sustained waste management despite waterfront challenges

Expertise in complex PWCS Projects

Through targeted engineering interventions and disciplined maintenance, Greenwave restored and sustained the performance of The Berth’s pneumatic waste collection system. The retrofit work replaced worn components and removed bottlenecks, while the ongoing service program maintained consistent operation

This case illustrates how rigorous technical support and full-cycle maintenance deliver long-term operational value and system reliability in complex waste-management infrastructure.