WATER METERS (Checking of)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for the Environment (a) whether the Public Utilities Board has any plans to systematically check the condition of water meters to detect malfunction and the unnoticed water leakage; (b) how many water meters have been found faulty in the past five years; and (c) how many faulty meters have been replaced with new ones during this period.

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, it is the practice of the PUB to recall water meters every five years to check whether they are working properly. Those which are found serviceable are overhauled and reinstalled for service. Water meters are read bi-monthly and the meter readers also check for faults in the meters. It may come as a surprise to hon. Members to know that faulty meters generally register a lower rate of water consumption. Therefore, it is to the advantage of the PUB to see that the water meters do work properly.

About 140,000 meters have been found to be faulty and replaced in the past five years. Water leakage results in abnormal increases in meter readings. Such increases are detected by the computer and are investigated by water inspectors.