SINGAPORE RIVER (Measures to minimize pollution)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for the Environment what problems are faced in minimizing pollution of the Singapore River and what measures are being taken to tackle the problems.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the catchment of the Singapore River and Kallang Basin are heavily urbanized and heavily developed.

Although the major sources of pollution have been removed, pollution from various sources related to developed urban areas stll remain and these include litter, loading and unloading areas of wet markets, poultry slaughtering in wet markets, refuse chutes and washing of void decks.

Sir, drains in these urban areas collect rain water and convey the rain water into the rivers. As a result, litter, wastewater and other waste materials in these areas are washed into the drains and finally end up in the rivers.

A Committee has been formed to look into how these remaining sources of pollution can be prevented. This Committee which is chaired by the Ministry of the Environment has members from other organizations such as the HDB, JTC, Development and Building Control Division, PSA, Primary Production Department and Land Office.

The Committee will study the use of engineering means, wherever possible, to prevent pollution. For example, drains at critical areas will be covered to reduce the entry of litter. In addition, drains will also be provided with gratings to catch as much litter as possible before it enters the river. Finally, Sir, floatbooms are placed at strategic points of the river to capture whatever litter that finally finds its way into the river.

The Committee is also studying if proper areas can be provided at wet markets for the loading and unloading of produce from vehicles. Such areas will have to be provided with means to capture solid wastes and the wastewater drained into the sewers.

To reduce the pollution from common areas in HDB flats, the Committee will study if such areas can be kerbed or recessed so that the wastewater from washing is collected and drained into the sewers.

Sir, the problem of pollution cannot be solved through engineering means alone. The public will have to cooperate by not littering and by bagging their refuse.

My Ministry will continue to carry out programmes to educate the public not to cause pollution. Together with the Ministry of Education, we are already carrying out a programme to educate our schoolchildren on keeping the rivers clean.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, are the measures spelt out by the Minister to prevent pollution only in reference to the Singapore River or other rivers as well in Singapore?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: All rivers.