More regular checks at work sites ahead of monsoon season

Bid to cut flood risk by ensuring that firms employ measures to prevent silty discharge

- Zhaki Abdullah

As part of efforts to prevent floods, national water agency PUB is increasing the frequency of inspections at construction sites to ensure they employ measures to prevent silty discharge from flowing into waterways.

This comes ahead of the northeast monsoon, which runs from December to March and typically brings more frequent and intense rainfall.

Rainwater mixed with exposed earth materials and soil creates silty water, PUB said on Nov 8.

"If it's discharged without treatment, it will lead to silt accumulation over time and reduce the conveyance capacity of waterways. This could increase the risk of flood during heavy rain," said senior principal engineer Gao Ruoming of PUB's catchment and waterways department.

Ms Gao urged construction sites to comply with earth control measures (ECM) and adopt best practices to minimise the risk of silty discharge in the light of the upcoming north-east monsoon.

Under PUB's code of practice on surface water drainage, contractors are required to plan and implement adequate measures to contain and treat silty water before it is discharged into public drains.

Such measures include the use of drains to collect and channel the discharge from the site, and treatment plants that use flocculants and polymers to separate the silt from the water. The chemicals clump suspended particles together so that they can be removed more easily.