SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALONG MULBERRY AVENUE (Improvement)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for the Environment whether his Ministry will improve the sewerage system along Mulberry Avenue in Sennett Estate which frequently gets choked and causes toilet bowls in private houses to overflow.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff (for the Minister for the Environment): Mr Speaker, Sir, the sewer along Mulberry Avenue does not need to be improved. The sewer chokes are caused by the oily/greasy waste discharged from the food shops. ENV will require food shops without grease traps to install them and those with grease traps to maintain them more frequently.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Does the Minister agree with me that this regular overflow from the sewer in that area is due to the fact that the sewer system is insufficient for the load in that area?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Sir, the answer is no. As Mr Chiam should know, there are residential premises and shophouses along MacPherson Road parallel to Mulberry Avenue. The shophouses include three eating establishments. Two of them already have these grease traps. Only one does not have. So we are asking this shop to install a grease trap and the other two shops to make sure that they clean the place. As far as the ENV is concerned, we will step up our efforts to make sure that the place is clean.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Does the Minister know that this problem has been going on for the last 10 years or even more? This is a regular complaint. Every month there is flooding of private residences' toilet facilities and they have to telephone the Ministry of the Environment. They are like the Fire Brigade. They come and try to solve the problem. Unless something more concrete is done, this problem will continue.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Our considered opinion is that it would not. Because these two food shops can maintain the cleanliness. The other food shop will install a grease trap. The ENV will step up its efforts to keep the place clean and that is that. If this shopowner does not follow our regulations, we will warn him. At the end of the day, we have to apply section 51(1) of the Water Pollution Control and Drainage Act to fine them. But I think my Ministry officers are very kindhearted. They try to explain and advise the shopowners. But, ultimately, if they do not follow the regulations, we have to fine them. But we always believe that at the end of the day, when we promulgate laws, it must be self organisation and self regulation. The individual must organise himself. Companies must organise themselves and regulate themselves. And that is the crux of all the measures taken by the Government.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Does the Ministry intend to solve this problem by either enlarging the sewer pipes there or reducing the load? And it is to close down these eating houses. I understand that one of them is a 24-hour eating house. I think the Ministry must take concrete steps either of enlarging the sewer pipes or you have to reduce the supply of the waste matter by closing down these eating houses, especially the 24-hour eating house.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: I think Singapore has grown to a large extent, not only 24-hour eating houses but working also for 24 hours. We have to use computers, robots and so forth. The answer to this problem is for the two food shops to clean up their places and the other shop to install a grease trap. I can assure the Member that we will advise this particular shopowner to install the trap as soon as possible, and this will solve the problem. If it does not, I will ask the Member to put in a question again.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I am not happy with the Minister's answer. The problem is that the sewer system is insufficient.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, could you ask your question? You are repeating yourself. Do you have any more questions?

Mr Chiam See Tong: Is his Ministry going to solve this problem?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Sir, the answer must be obvious.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Yes or no.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Obviously, yes.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, would you like to ask your next question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Question No. 12, Sir.