White discharge in Hougang drain: Enforcement action to be taken against contractor, says PUB

The white discharge in an outlet drain in Hougang was found to contain paint products from a construction site, said PUB.

All traces of the white discharge was removed by Tuesday (March 28), added the national water agency.

Stomper Ed shared a video of the white discharge in the drain near Poh Huat Crescent taken on Monday at 2.40pm.

In the video, the water appeared to have turned milky white.

In response to a Stomp query, a PUB spokesman said: "PUB was alerted to white discharge in an outlet drain along Hougang Avenue 10 at around 3pm on March 27.

"Our officers went on site immediately and traced the discharge to a construction site at Serangoon North Avenue 1.

"The outlet drain conveys stormwater to Sungei Pinang at Punggol Park, which discharges into Serangoon Reservoir.

"The contractor, L.S. Construction, was directed to clean up and remove all traces of the white discharge from the outlet drain and Sungei Pinang, which they completed on 28 March.

"Based on samples collected, the discharge was found to contain paint products that were used at the construction site. PUB’s online monitoring and laboratory test results indicated that water quality in Serangoon Reservoir was not affected.

"PUB takes a serious view of pollution in Singapore’s waterways and will work with the National Environment Agency to take appropriate enforcement action against the contractor under the Environment Protection and Management Act.

"The public can contact PUB at 1800-2255-782 to report any suspected pollution in waterways."