PUB to take action against construction firm over Geylang flash floods
The PUB will be taking enforcement action against a construction contractor for lapses in drainage maintenance that resulted in a parts of Geylang being flooded earlier this month.
In a press release on Tuesday (27 November), the national water agency said Straits Construction Singapore (SCS) was responsible for the flash floods that took place at Lorong 23 Geylang and the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) slip-road to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on 11 November.
PUB’s investigations found that the pipe drain passing through a construction site operated by SCS was choked following heavy rainfall on that date and was unable to convey stormwater effectively into the Pelton Canal.
Lack of proper maintenance
Stormwater – collected in the roadside drain at Lorong 23 Geylang – is usually discharged into a downstream drain at the KPE slip road, before finally emptying into Pelton Canal.
The drain, which runs along Lorong 23 Geylang, Sims Place and Sims Drive, joins up to a culvert that passes below the PIE, which is linked up to the 1.2m diameter pipe drain, before it meets the Pelton Canal.
“SCS is required to take proper measures to maintain the flow capacity of this pipe drain as construction is underway. PUB will be taking enforcement action against SCS for the lack of proper maintenance of the drainage system within their site,” said the agency.
Reminder to developers
Noting that stormwater should normally flow into roadside trains, canals and rivers – and eventually out to sea or into reservoirs – PUB said it “thus important to keep our drains free-flowing”.
“PUB reminds all developers and contractors of work sites to take active measures to ensure that drains within their development sites are free of silt, debris, litter and leaves so that they can function well to convey stormwater,” said the agency.
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