No swimming at Sembawang Park Beach due to high levels of Enterococcus bacterium in water: NEA

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No swimming at Sembawang Park Beach due to high levels of Enterococcus bacterium in water: NEA​

Beachgoers are advised against swimming or engaging in activities where the whole body or face comes into frequent contact with the water at Sembawang Park Beach.PHOTO: ST FILE

Kolette Lim

UPDATED JAN 24, 2025, 03:57 PM

SINGAPORE – Sunseekers can happily frolic in the waters at six out of seven beaches in Singapore that have been given a “good” grading, but the waters off Sembawang Park Beach are not safe for swimming.

Pasir Ris Beach, which got a fair grading in February 2024, is now suitable for swimming and activities such as wakeboarding, windsurfing and water immersion training, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Jan 24.

The remaining five beaches with a good grading are Changi, East Coast Park, Punggol, Seletar Island and Sentosa.

Sembawang Park Beach was assessed as fair because the water has elevated levels of Enterococcus bacterium, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal infection.

Beachgoers heading there are advised against swimming or engaging in activities where the whole body or face comes into frequent contact with the water, said NEA. But sailing, kayaking and canoeing activities can continue as usual.

The beaches are graded based on World Health Organisation’s recreational water quality guidelines, which take into account incidences of elevated Enterococcus count in the water samples.

In 2024, elevated levels of the bacterium were detected in the waters off Pasir Ris and Sembawang Park beaches.

Findings suggest that elevated bacterium levels at the two beaches could have originated from places such as bin centres, eateries or construction sites.

NEA said: “Improper hygiene practices, such as pouring of water containing waste materials into the drains, could have impacted the water quality in our waterways.”

Beachgoers can refer to the NEA weekly Beach Short-term Water Quality Information on its website or the myENV app before taking a dip.