WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AND DRAINAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 4.08 pm

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Singapore's water resources are limited and must be developed to its full potential to meet our increasing demand for potable water. Stringent measures to prevent pollution of the watercourses and reservoirs will therefore be necessary so that our water supply is safe for consumption. This is especially so when many of our reservoirs are in unprotected catchments where only limited housing development and clean industries are allowed. Preventive measures have been taken whereby all industrial, trade and residential premises will need to comply with the pollution control requirements.

However, there is a growing threat of contamination of our water resources through the indiscriminate dumping of toxic waste, which originates from the processes of industrial and trade establishments. This could have very serious consequences. An entire reservoir built at substantial cost may have to be written off altogether. There could be serious health implications as the toxic materials could be carcinogenic or cause long-term health effects. Outside of the catchments, efforts to clean up the rivers and canals to bring back marine life would be negated if such illegal dumping is unchecked.

Only in April this year, a substantial quantity of toxic waste was found to have been dumped in the Kranji Catchment. The waste, containing mainly copper chloride, had leached through the ground and into a stream which flowed into the Kranji Catchment. A sample analysis of the water in the polluted stream indicated a high copper concentration. Fish kept in this water died within a few hours. A high level of copper in human beings can lead to brain damage.

Another illegal toxic dump was found the following month in May, just outside the Kranji Catchment, which contained nickel, copper, chromium, lead and zinc compounds. These chemicals, if consumed in sufficient quantities, can cause damage to the nervous system, internal organs and the brain. It could also lead to other long-term health hazards which are yet unknown or even death. A case in point is the highly publicised Love Canal in the United States where the population of an entire town suffered from various diseases associated with drinking contaminated water.

Fortunately, the two local incidents were discovered in time to prevent contamination of the reservoirs. However, these serve to illustrate the vulnerability of our water resources to such wanton acts by irresponsible individuals and companies.

It is, therefore, important that we have sufficient penalties to deter people against the indiscriminate discharge of toxic wastes. The existing Water Pollution Control and Drainage Act, 1975, does not have penalties that sufficiently discourage such indiscriminate discharge which can cause untold damage. The Bill before the House is to provide these deterrent penalties to protect our population and water resources.

The new section 14A of the Act will prohibit the discharge of toxic substances into any inland water and persons convicted of such an offence will be liable to a penalty of up to $10,000 fine or six months' imprisonment or both for a first offence. Mandatory imprisonment of between one month and one year will be prescribed in addition to a fine not exceeding $20,000 for a second or subsequent offence. For a third offence, the Minister may by order direct the person to cease with the process or business were the toxic substance is being produced. The present penalty is only a fine of up to $5,000 for the first offence, and up to $10,000 for a subsequent offence.

A new provision has been included to provide that where an offence is committed by a body corporate with the consent, connivance or due to neglect on the part of any officer of the body corporate, he will also be guilty of the offence. The Minister will also be empowered to make regulations on storage, removal and disposal of toxic wastes.

As the proposed penalties are heavy, no prosecution shall be instituted without the consent of the Public Prosecutor to prevent excesses in the enforcement.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a committee on the Bill. - [Mr Ong Pang Boon].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.