Stiffer penalties for those who cause illegal discharge into sewers

Penalties will be raised for the illegal discharge of harmful waste into sewers, and silty discharge into drains to deter offences that can compromise Newater production and cause floods.

- Shabana Begum

Minimum penalties will be introduced and maximum penalties raised to dissuade offenders, with many of them repeat offenders, Parliament heard on Nov 11.

For example, a company that discharges hazardous substances without national water agency PUB's approval, causing injury to workers and damage to sewers, will face a new minimum fine of $40,000. The maximum penalty will be doubled from $200,000 now to $400,000.

Repeat offenders who carry out works that could cause silt to be discharged into drains and canals can face a maximum penalty of $100,000, up from $50,000.

The penalty revisions and other changes to the Sewerage and Drainage Act were passed in Parliament on Nov 11.

In her speech, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor said toxic and harmful discharge into sewers can kill the microbes used to treat used water at water reclamation plants (WRPs).

The illegal discharge of volatile organic substances, such as benzene, can also pose a danger to workers who maintain the sewers and WRPs. They may inhale the toxic fumes, or the highly flammable substances may cause fires and explosions, added Dr Khor.