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Coordinates: 1°20′37″N, 103°49′52″E

The distinctive zig-zag bridge and Performing Arts Pavilion are popular spots at MacRitchie Reservoir.

MacRitchie Reservoir (Chinese: 麦里芝蓄水池, Pinyin: Maìlǐzhī Xùshuǐchí) is Singapore's oldest reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1868 by impounding water from an earth embankment, and was then known as the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir.

Before the early 19th century, most of the Singapore main island was covered by primary forest. Soon after the British established a settlement in Singapore in 1819 and commercial activity took root, there was a demand for fresh water. However, it was decades before the settlement's first fresh water supply was established.

Boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Between 1820 and 1870, a substantial portion of the virgin forest was cleared to assist Singapore in becoming an important trading post. Prior to this, Chinese planters had also worked the forested land for timber and the cultivation of crops like gambier, pepper and rubber. By 1886, only 10% of the original forest cover remained.

In 1823, British Resident John Crawfurd proposed the building of a reservoir and waterworks, setting aside $1,000 for these plans but nothing came of them. Another plan that ended up in smoke was the idea to tap the headwaters of Singapore Creek.

Finally, in 1857, Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng donated $13,000 for the improvement of the town's waterworks but delays, poor planning and use of the wrong building materials ate into the budget. New plans were drawn up for an impounding reservoir in Thomson. Tan's money was insufficient – the cost of the new reservoir was $100,000 – but colonial headquarters in Calcutta refused to make up the rest of the cost. When Tan died in 1864, the reservoir was no nearer completion.

Construction was eventually completed in 1868 but the pumps and distributing network were not finished until 1877. By this time, public confidence in the government's ability was dented.

In 1882, in a move to salvage its reputation, the Municipal Council erected a fountain in Fullerton Square in honour of Tan Kim Seng. The fountain was later to moved to Queen Elizabeth Walk, where it stands today.

In 1891, the holding capacity of the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir, after its designer John Turnbull Thomson, was expanded to over 465 million gallons. Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie oversaw this $32,000 expansion and the reservoir was named after him in 1922. In the 1890s, he had urged the government to buy the Chasseriau Estate for use as a reservoir but it was not until much later that the purchase was made.

However, the reservoir's 4 million gallons a day were still insufficient to meet demand. Water was pumped into the reservoir from the upper section of Kallang River, one of the island's bigger sources of fresh water. Other fresh water supplies – Lower Pierce Reservoir and Seletar Reservoir – were completed in 1912 and 1920 respectively. However, the government realised that Singapore would not be able to meet its own fresh water needs. In 1927, a water treaty was signed with the Sultan of Johor. Singapore received its first supply of water from Johor in 1932 but Singapore is now more independent.

The development of the MacRitchie Reservoir brought the forest devastation around the area to a halt. The forest surrounding the reservoir has been protected as a water catchment reserve. The forested areas surrounding the other two reservoirs, Pierce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir (formerly Seletar Reservoir) were also protected when these reservoirs were developed.

The suspension bridge as part of the Treetop walk.

More than one square kilometre of primary forest still flourishes in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve today, particularly around MacRitchie Reservoir. Rubber trees, remnants of the plantations from the 19th century, can still be seen along the fringes around the reservoir.

There are boardwalks skirting the edge of the scenic MacRitchie Reservoir and walking trails through the forest. They range in distances from 3 km to 11 km. Interpretative signboards along the boardwalks allow for a self-guided tour along the fringes of the MacRitchie forest.

Sign to treetop walk.

The boardwalk around the perimeter of the MacRitchie Reservoir brings the visitor through interesting secondary forest in the Central Catchment nature area. The boardwalk which hugs the reservoir also allows for easy exploration of freshwater wildlife. Visitors will be enthralled by breathtaking views of the reservoir and the surrounding forests. Interesting plants await to be spotted along the boardwalk, such as the intriguing Ant plant (Macaranga sp.) and pitcher plants.

In addition to the boardwalk, another popular attraction is the HSBC TreeTop Walk, a 250 m aerial free standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Pierce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. The bridge was completed in July 2004, and the TreeTop Walk was officially launched on 5 November 2004. The structure, which is 25 m at its highest point, offers visitors a panoramic view of Lower Pierce Reservoir and the surrounding lush rainforest where visitors can also enjoy the sounds and sights of native birds in the morning. Jelutong Tower also offers a breathtaking view of the Singapore Island Country Club golf course and the MacRitchie Reservoir.

The 3.2 km and 4.8 km trails are still used as cross-country running routes for various inter-school competitions today.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

MacRitchie Reservoir

• National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3

• National Parks Board, Central Catchment Nature Reserve - MacRitchie

edit	Reservoirs in Singapore
Bedok Reservoir | Jurong Lake | Kranji Reservoir | Lower Peirce Reservoir | Lower Seletar Reservoir | MacRitchie Reservoir | Murai Reservoir | Pandan Reservoir | Poyan Reservoir | Pulau Tekong Reservoir | Sarimbun Reservoir | Tengeh Reservoir | Upper Peirce Reservoir | Upper Seletar Reservoir
Service Reservoirs: Changi Creek Reservoir | Fort Canning Reservoir | Jalan Eunos Service Reservoir | Kallang Service Reservoir | Murnane Service Reservoir | Pearl's Hill Reservoir | South End Reservoir | Yishun Service Reservoir
Planned Reservoirs: Marina Bay Reservoir | Punggol Reservoir | Serangoon Reservoir