Channel NewsAsia 18 Sep 11;
SINGAPORE: The water quality at Pasir Ris beach has improved.
Last year's assessment by NEA showed that its water quality was deemed "fair" compared to other beaches which were rated good or very good.
But after testing the water samples for a one-year period, the agency said its quality has achieved a good rating.
Even so, NEA has advised the public against swimming at Pasir Ris beach as the water samples should be tested over a 3-year-period.
A key criteria of this grading is that not more than five per cent of the samples tested over a three-year period have enterrococcus counts greater than 200 per 100 ml.
The guidelines are based on levels of a bacteria called enterococcus, which is found in the faeces of humans and warm-blooded animals.
The improvement was attributed to PUB's efforts to phase out 33 sewage treatment plants in the Halus, Tampines, Changi and Selerang areas.
Another six of these plants located in the Changi Coast area will be phased out by the end of this year.
- CNA/fa
