Singapore is set to open its largest reservoir near the city's business district next month as part of plans to boost water security by cutting dependence on imported water. The Marina Reservoir, which is set to open on November 1, will have a catchment area of 24,710 acres and will be the 15th reservoir in the outheast Asian country, Singapore's state water agency PUB said.

Singapore currently buys half of its water supply from neighbouring Malaysia under two agreements that end in 2011 and 2061, but ties between the two countries are often testy.

To diversify its water supply, Singapore recycles waste water, desalinates sea water, and two-thirds of the country will be covered by water catchment areas with the new reservoir.

The reservoir will host water sports in an effort to help tourism and leisure, as the country seeks to move away from manufacturing and attract expatriate workers in sectors such as financial services and biomedical engineering.

The reservoir, which will be enclosed by a barrage at what was formerly the mouth of the Singapore River, will also help to ease flooding because excess water will be drained into the sea or pumped out with huge pumps, PUB said.