By Hannah Koh
TWO years on, the waters off Pasir Ris beach are still regarded
as unsafe for swimming.
In the latest annual assessment of water quality at Singapore
beaches, the Pasir Ris stretch again got a 'fair' grading while the
other five popular recreational beaches passed with flying
colours.
The National Environment Agency's (NEA), which carried out the
water test based on World Health Organisation's guidelines, said 7
per cent of the collected samples had enterococcus counts greater
than 200 per 100ml.
Last year, it was 8 per cent. The bacteria is found in human and
animal faeces.
'The public is again advised to refrain from swimming at Pasir
Ris beach until the next review in Aug 2011,' said the NEA which
released the results of this year's water quality assessment on
Tuesday.
The waters at Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park,
Changi and East Coast Park were graded 'very good' or 'good' for
primary contact activities. Pasir Ris beach has been rated
unsuitable for water activities since 2008 as the water quality is
affected by various possible sources, including minor leakage from
older sewers, moored vessels, animals and discharges fro
small-scale sewage treatment plants (STPs) in remote areas of Pasir
Ris.
To improve the quality of water at Pasir Ris, the Public
Utilities Board (PUB) has ongoing plans to extend sewer networks,
phase out STPs in the area and rehabilitate ageing sewers.
The NEA has put up signs along Pasir Ris beach to advise beach
goers against swimming in the water since August 2008.
