|
 Community
Issues
 WATER CONTAMINATION AT BUKIT TIMAH PLAZA
Of nearly 1000
buildings inspected by the Public Utilities Board over the past month, 49
were found to have sanitary pipes above water tanks. The PUB said the management
corporations of the 49 affected buildings have been asked to redirect the
sanitary pipes or relocate the water tanks. (Straits Times 26 Sep
2000)
Bukit Timah Plaza's
management corporation is facing legal action for gross negligence in
allowing sewage to contaminate the building's water supply system. The
filthy water has made at least 65 people fall ill since last week. The
Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Ministry of Environment (ENV) said
on Thursday 23 Aug 2000 that their investigations showed that the management
corporation had "grossly neglected its duty" to maintain the
complex's water supply and internal sewage-piping systems. (ST 24 Aug
2000)
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY PUB AND ENV
WATER CONTAMINATION AT BUKIT TIMAH PLAZA: THIRD UPDATE
PUB and ENV have identified about 296 commercial buildings and private
apartments that are more than 25 years old. As at 5.00pm today, 88
buildings
had been checked. Only three have sanitary pipes positioned over the
water
tanks. These pipes are in good condition and the water tanks below covered
securely. In another building, a floor trap is located above the
edge of the
water tank. The floor trap is in good condition and the water tank
is also
covered.
Although there is no imminent danger of contamination, the MCs of these
buildings have been required to either re-direct the sanitary pipes/floor
trap,
or reposition their water tanks. The floor trap will also be
relocated.
ENV and PUB would like to assure the public that there is no immediate
risk to
the water reticulation systems should sanitary pipes run above water
tanks,
provided the sanitary pipes are properly maintained and the water tanks
covered
securely.
STATUS OF PATIENTS
There have been seven new cases of gastro-enteritis. However, the
onset of
their illness was before the disinfecting of the water reticulation system
at
Bukit Timah Plaza.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY:
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT and PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
DATE: 25 AUG 00
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY PUB AND ENV
WATER CONTAMINATION AT BUKIT TIMAH PLAZA: SECOND UPDATE
Water supply to Bukit Timah Plaza has been restored fully and the food
outlets
in the building allowed to re-commence their operations. All the
defective
sanitary pipes are being replaced by the licensed plumber engaged by the
management corporation.
ENV and PUB have begun their checks of buildings which are more than 25
years old for any sanitary pipes running over water tanks. A properly
maintained
water and sanitary system should not present any immediate risk. The
inspection is expected to be completed in two weeks' time.
ENV and PUB would like to assure the public that the problem in Bukit
Timah
Plaza is an isolated incident and limited to only the condominium. All
buildings outside Bukit Timah Plaza are not affected and PUB's water is
safe to
drink.
STATUS OF PATIENTS
There are now 115 cases. Four of the cases were hospitalised. Three have
recovered and have been discharged, and one, the two-year old boy, is
still in
the hospital in stable condition. The rest were treated as outpatients and
have
recovered, or are recovering.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY:
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND
PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
DATE: 24 AUG 00
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY ENV AND PUB
The Ministry of the Environment was alerted to a possible contamination of
water at Bukit Timah Plaza, following a report from a medical practitioner
operating in the complex. The doctor reported that between 17th and
18th
August, he had seen an unusual increase in the number of patients with
symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, from residents and workers at the
Plaza.
Preliminary investigations revealed that 47 patients with symptoms of
acute
gastroenteritis were seen by doctors from two clinics at the Plaza.
34 of them
reside in the plaza. The main clinical symptoms were vomiting, watery
diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever.
Four of the 47 patients were hospitalized for observation. Three have been
discharged. The fourth, a two-year old boy is still in hospital and
his
condition is stable.
Water samples taken by ENV from the water tanks at Bukit Timah Plaza
showed signs of faecal contamination and a high bacterial count.
Onsite investigation showed that the contamination of water supply was due
to
the leakage of sewage into the water tanks.
PUB and ENV officers are on the site working with the Management
Corporation to clean and sterilise the water reticulation system in the
affected blocks. The
water reticulation system will only be re-commissioned after PUB confirms
that
the system has been thoroughly sterilised.
In the meantime, all residents have been advised to boil the water before
drinking and for other personal use. PUB has also provided alternate water
supply through PUB's water tankers.
All foodshops in the plaza were closed immediately.
The public at large is not at any risk as the problem is contained at the
Bukit
Timah Plaza.
ISSUED BY:
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
Date: 22 Aug 2000
|
All rights reserved
