Pasir Ris beach still filthy

[MarrickG]

A YEAR after signs went up on Pasir Ris beach warning swimmers against taking a dip in the waters there, little has changed.

Levels of a bacteria found in human faeces present in the sea there still exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a year-long National Environment Agency study has found.

It said that though water quality has improved marginally, swimming and activies such as water-skiing are still discouraged along the 3.3-km stretch of beach from the People's Association's Pasir Ris Holiday Complex to the Civil Service Aloha resort.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Tuesday that an ageing sewage network was partly to blame for the poor water quality: Faeces is leaking into the waters off Pasir Ris beach from a 23-km network of pipes in the Tampines, Changi and Pasir Ris areas.

The discharge from 39 sewage treatment plants in areas such as Tampines and Changi is also to blame, it said.

In addition, waste dumped from moored vessels, and animals secreting waste into the waters there add to the problem.

Pasir Ris beach is the only one with poor water quality here, the study, which examined six recreational beaches, found.

The other beaches - Sentosa and Seletar Islands, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast beach - are suitable for swimming and other water sports, it said.

NEA caused a stir last year when it said that the adoption of more stringent water-quality standards based on new World Health Organization guidelines meant that swimming was no longer safe off Pasir Ris beach.

Since then, more officers have been sent to examine drains and rivers in the area that lead to the sea for possible discharges, a spokesman for the agency said. Enforcement action has also been stepped up, she added.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_421063.html

 

[MarrickG]

Parliament: Pollution in Pasir Ris beach waters (Tue, Aug 26, 2008)

ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE

(FIRST SESSION)
_________________

WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY 3.00 PM

MONDAY, 25 AUGUST 2008

POLLUTION IN THE WATERS OFF PASR RIS BEACH
(Measures to Improve Water Quality)

Mr Charles Chong:

To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources if he will provide an update on the investigation into the source of pollution in the waters off Pasir Ris Beach and the measures taken to improve water quality in that area.

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim:

The National Environment Agency (NEA) introduced new guidelines for recreational water quality at the end of July. Based on these guidelines, Pasir Ris beach is assessed to be unsuitable for primary contact activities such as swimming, water-skiing and wakeboarding. Signs have since been erected along Pasir Ris beach to advise beach goers against swimming in the water.

The water quality at Pasir Ris has not deteriorated. Rather, we have adopted a higher standard based on the latest guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which introduced a new microbial indicator, enterococcus. The NEA's new guidelines require at least 95% of the water samples collected to have enteroccocus levels of below 200 counts per 100ml. Pasir Ris beach does not meet this guideline, and the causes could be storm-water runoff, riverine activities, and indiscriminate discharges from industries and construction sites. We also cannot rule out non-domestic activities in the open seas.

Singapore already has in place a comprehensive regulatory and enforcement regime to ensure that our waterways are kept clean. For instance, NEA conducts regular surveillance of industries and construction sites to control against illegal discharge of sewage into open drains. The premises along Pasir Ris beach are also connected to sewers, ensuring that sewage is channeled to our used water network and properly treated.

The water at Pasir Ris beach is not able to meet the new guidelines despite existing pollution control measures. NEA is undertaking a detailed consultancy study to better understand the specific sources of pollution affecting our beaches, and determine if there are other measures which are feasible to adopt. The study is expected to be completed early next year.

NEA will regularly collect and analyse water samples at the popular recreational beaches. The grading of beaches will be reviewed annually, with advisories updated as necessary, on their suitability for primary contact activities.

http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20080826-84356.html

 

[johnny333]

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Tuesday that an ageing sewage network was partly to blame for the poor water quality: Faeces is leaking into the waters off Pasir Ris beach from a 23-km network of pipes in the Tampines, Changi and Pasir Ris areas.

[/QUOTE]

I start worrying when I read about "aging sewage pipes" because it means someone is not doing their job. Or maybe its cheaper to cut corners :rolleyes:

Another "honest mistake" in the making :confused:

 

[makapaaa]

>>>animals secreting waste into the waters there add to the problem.<<<

Blame mother and father except lazy NEA French chef wannabe?

 

[cooleo]

>>>The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Tuesday that an ageing sewage network was partly to blame for the poor water quality: Faeces is leaking into the waters off Pasir Ris beach from a 23-km network of pipes in the Tampines, Changi and Pasir Ris areas.<<<

Only dogs will call that a beach! More like smelly drain / longkang!

 

[stardies]

singapore need a cleaner beach:o

 

[johnny333]

singapore need a cleaner beach:o

They need a cleaner gov't lah. All that white sure to get dirty

Not everyone can be as squeky clean like LKY. Now that his poor dear wife is ill who will jelp him with his dirty laundry

 

[cooleo]

I am surprised that people actually need a sign to warn them not to swim in Sinkapore's dirty beaches.

Just look at how murky the water is and u shud know better. If u wan a reasonably clean beach, pls go spend one hour ferry ride to nearby Bintan! If u damn rich, try Maldives! Now that is what i call a beach, ya hear me bitc....?!

 

[boring]

one of the main cause of dirty beaches in joher strait is the cause way! the water can't flow naturally , those who familiar that area will know the water is black due to the super dirty seabed!!!

 

[po2wq]

... The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Tuesday that an ageing sewage network was partly to blame for the poor water quality: Faeces is leaking into the waters off Pasir Ris beach from a 23-km network of pipes in the Tampines, Changi and Pasir Ris areas.

The discharge from 39 sewage treatment plants in areas such as Tampines and Changi is also to blame, it said.

In addition, waste dumped from moored vessels, and animals secreting waste into the waters there add to the problem. ...

ah nea ...

looks like u can identify ze causes ...

so, wat r u going 2 do now? ... u can do anyting betta than tis? ...

 

[po2wq]

singapore need a cleaner beach:o

sg bitch nid a cleaner ...

 

[cooleo]

ah nea ...

looks like u can identify ze causes ...

so, wat r u going 2 do now? ... u can do anyting betta than tis? ...

NEA talk cock sing song. Tell u saturated fat may give u heart attack, but never say take what medicine to take.

 

[Muthukali]

Gt bua yak hor..........