Tougher laws to ensure clean water in Singapore

Straits Times 10 Apr 12;

KEEPING THE SUPPLY SAFE: New measures have been introduced to regulate the quality of used water entering Singapore's drainage system, in a bid to reduce pollution and protect the water supply. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

LAWS have been tightened to regulate the quality of used water entering Singapore's drainage system, as part of moves to reduce pollution and protect the country's water supply.

Under a pair of Bills passed by Parliament yesterday, regulations have been tightened and higher penalties imposed to reduce the amount of silt and dangerous substances in the water fed into the drainage system.

Specific and higher penalties for those who damage pipes and other water infrastructure were also laid out in amendments made to the Public Utilities Act and Sewerage and Drainage Act, which the House passed after a debate during the second reading.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said the new measures were necessary as Singapore intends to expand its water catchment area, which now makes up two-thirds of the island.

'To do this, we must keep our land, waterways and reservoirs clean. Any pollution... will make the water more difficult and costly to treat,' he said.

The changes also close the loop on the country's water management cycle, by allowing national water agency PUB to take over the running of several sewage treatment plants that were built and run by private owners.

Primarily located in remote areas, these treat used water before discharging it into the drainage system. The PUB will start overseeing the operations, maintenance and repair of all such treatment plants by June.Experts said the new water quality laws are likely to affect construction companies the most, as they now have to install silt-control measures and dig trial trenches to make sure that their projects will not damage water pipes, before they can start work.

But Mr Guna, 39, a site superintendent with Tiong Seng Contractors, said most construction companies already carry out both procedures. 'Disruptions to the water supply these days affect many more people, so it's good to be careful,' he said.

During the debate, opposition MP Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) had raised concerns that the proposed amendments to the laws could mean higher water prices.

But Dr Balakrishnan assured MPs that the move to reclassify two PUB fees - sanitary appliance and waterborne fees - as taxes were to better reflect the tax contribution to the national used water system. It would not affect current water price rates nor the structure of water charges.

'I am not making any announcements on new rates or new charges. That's not on the cards at this point in time.'

FENG ZENGKUN

Background story

COSTLY IF DIRTY

'We must keep our land, waterways and reservoirs clean. Any pollution... will make the water more difficult and costly to treat.'

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, on our water catchment areas

WATCH THE COSTS

'While you want to be more green, you don't want to impose costs on your consumers. That's why we're technology-agnostic and very careful... in rolling out green renewable sources of energy.'

Dr Balakrishnan, on the authorities' approach to going green

Stiffer penalties for those who pollute water catchment
Wong Jiahui Alicia Today Online 10 Apr 12;

SINGAPORE - Stiffer penalties will be slapped on those who damage water infrastructure or installations as well as those who pollute the water catchment.

The authorities are also seeking to expand the pool of enforcement officers.

Yesterday, Parliament passed amendments to the Public Utilities Act. Under the changes, those who damage water installations - such as waterworks and desalination plants - could fined up to S$200,000 and/or jailed up to three years.

Those who damage water infrastructure will pay higher penalties commensurate with the severity of the damage. Any person who, for instance, damages a water main managed by national water agency PUB could be fined up to S$40,000 and/or jailed up to three months. If the water main is 300mm or more in diameter, he or she could be fined up to S$200,000 and/or jailed up to three years.

Previously, any person who damaged PUB property could be fined up to S$10,000 and/or jail of up to three years.

To avoid damaging underground infrastructure, thorough site investigations will be required before any excavation, piling or similar work is done. Trial trenches must also be dug to physically ascertain the location of any water mains or sewers.

PUB will be allowed to authorise any persons to perform any function or duty subject to conditions specified by the agency.

According to Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, PUB is considering engaging agents for catchment surveillance and for the enforcement of laws regulating minor offences such as littering or causing nuisance at reservoir parks and waterways.

The Sewerage and Drainage Act will also be amended to put in place an additional tier of penalties for damages to larger infrastructure in the used-water system (pipes of 0.9m or more in diameter): Those found guilty will be liable to a fine up to S$200,000 and/or jailed up to two years.

Noting that the "challenge of meeting the water needs of our population and economy will be even more complex", Dr Balakrishnan said the amendment that will be put in place "safeguards to enable the expansion of our local water catchments, to protect our NEWater production and to protect key infrastructure across our entire water loop".

Other changes to the Sewerage and Drainage Act include the requirement of adequate control measures for silt discharge at work sites before any work takes place - an order may be issued to stop the works if the measures are inadequate. The maximum fine for those who fail to comply is raised from S$20,000 to S$50,000.

Dr Balakrishnan said a "pre-emptive approach to controlling pollution is necessary" as Singapore continues to expand the water catchment area and any water pollution in these areas would make the water more difficult and costly to treat.