COVERING UP DRAINS IN PRIVATE ESTATES

COVERING UP DRAINS IN PRIVATE ESTATES: 21.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether there are any plans to cover up all drains in private estates and, if so, what is the timeline for doing so.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan (for the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources): The Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) was launched in 2000 to rejuvenate and upgrade the physical environment of selected private estates in Singapore. In conjunction with the EUP, PUB upgrades the old roadside drains into covered drains to provide more space for walkways and green verges. This co-ordination of drainage works with the EUP minimises inconvenience to residents.

In addition to this, PUB has an on-going programme to continually improve old drains across Singapore, including those in private estates. Under this programme, old drains are upgraded to increase their conveyance capacities or to restore their structural integrity towards the end of their economic life. Where possible, these drains will also be covered.

Over the past 10 years, PUB has upgraded close to 300 km of existing open roadside drains into covered drains in over 30 private residential estates. Most of these works were carried out as part of the EUP. Public feedback on the drainage upgrading works in private estates has been positive so far.

Going forward, PUB will continue to upgrade old drains in private estates progressively. By 2015, PUB will have upgraded another 100 km of drains in more than 15 estates.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade): I thank the Minister of State. Sir, I receive frequent complaints about the poor maintenance of drains as leaves and branches are frequently dropped into these uncovered drains. May I ask the Minister of State whether there are plans to step up the cleaning of these drains until the drains are covered, which may be in 2015?

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: In actual fact, many of the drains are uncovered to facilitate easy maintenance and to prevent mosquito breeding. In any case, regular maintenance of the drains is carried out by our PUB contractors to ensure the cleanliness of the drains, the drainage system and to reduce the risk of chokage.

There is a minimum performance standard stipulated for our contractors and for certain areas with heavy human traffic, or if they are litter-prone, including from the falling leaves and so on, additional cleaning may be required of the contractors. PUB regularly audits these cleaning contractors and penalises the contractors who fail to meet the required performance standards. This provides a targeted approach to improve public cleanliness.

If the Member has any specific area where he feels that the performance standard or the cleanliness is not maintained to standard, we will be happy to hear from the Member and we will follow up with the necessary action.

2.46 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.