Cleanup expands to more areas, including Changi

Water supply not affected, fish remain safe for consumption, say the authorities

- Sarah Koh and Chin Hui Shan

The authorities here are expanding cleanup efforts to more areas following a major oil spill on June 14, with some oil leaking from a damaged cargo tank at Pasir Panjang Terminal having spread to the waters off Changi on June 17.

The oil spill, however, has not affected water supply here, said national water agency PUB. Singapore's fish also remain safe for consumption, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said.

As at June 17, some 1.5km of booms have been deployed to contain the oil spill, with an additional 1.6km to be deployed at several beaches on Sentosa Island and Labrador Nature Reserve by June 18, as well as the Southern Islands, said a joint statement by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board, Sentosa Development Corporation, PUB and SFA.

Booms have also been installed along stretches of East Coast Park beaches that are badly affected, and at canal openings to trap oil and prevent it from flowing back into the canal.