SUNGEI WHAMPOA (Cleaning up)

Dr Augustine H.H. Tan asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology when steps will be taken to clean up the heavily-polluted Sungei Whampoa.

The Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, pollution in Sungei Whampoa comes from its catchment and mainly from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and discharge of sullage water into the drains from premises, in particular from squatter colonies. The present efforts to keep the river clean by desilting and removal of the refuse are only palliative measures. Until the sources of pollution on land have been eliminated, Sungei Whampoa will continue to be polluted.

Sungei Whampoa is one of the five rivers or canals which flow into Kallang Basin. The other four water courses are Rochore Canal, Kallang River, Pelton Canal and Geylang River. The catchment itself covers seven constituencies, namely, Kolam Ayer, Kallang, Tanglin, Whampoa, Moulmein, Toa Payoh and Kuo Chuan. The catchment is less polluted than the other four catchments of the rivers which drain into Kallang Basin. However, during high tides, the polluted water from the Kallang Basin is carried into the upper reaches of the Whampoa River, thereby adding to the problems of pollution.

The Ministry of the Environment is drawing up a programme to clean up the whole Kallang Basin. This will involve resettlement of squatters and the redevelopment of squatter areas and rundown parts of the city, the resiting of hawkers and farmers and the extension of sewerage facilities. This will take many years.

Dr Augustine H.H. Tan (Whampoa): Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, how often is the silt and refuse removed from Sungei Whampoa, especially the stretch along Balestier Estate?

Mr Barker: Sir, I would say as often as needed, depending on how dirty the canal is - usually about once a month.

Dr Augustine Tan: Sir, the Hon. Minister mentioned the number of squatters involved in the cleaning up process. I would like to know how many squatters will be affected in the cleaning up process?

Mr Barker: Sir, I have details of these squatter premises. Going by constituencies, Kallang has 53 such premises. Whampoa has only eight. Toa Payoh has 63. Kuo Chuan has 35. Moulmein has 114. Tanglin has 274.

Dr Augustine Tan: Sir, the Hon. Minister said that it would take many years to do the cleaning up. May I know how many years will it be?

Mr Barker: Sir, the Prime Minister has directed my Ministry to do this job within 10 years. But Members will realise that all these rivers have been polluted for more than 150 years. I would say that our target would be about the mid-1980s.

Dr Augustine Tan: Sir, may I request the Hon. Minister to clean up within 10 months?

Mr Barker: We do take palliative measures. But 10 months would be impossible.