Advertisement

Push for cleaner public toilets: NEA, RAS

The Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS) has recommended a compulsory grading scheme to be implemented for all public toilets.

According to the findings of a survey conducted by students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business & Accountancy last December, 80 per cent of the respondents supported the move.

Currently, all public toilets are graded under a voluntary scheme called the Happy Toilet Programme.

A third of the respondents also called for greater government intervention and enforcement for cleaner toilets. However, about half of them agreed that users themselves should be responsible in enforcing cleaner toilets.

With regard to the need for improvement, respondents ranked toilet cleanliness as a priority, followed by its maintenance and design.

To address the odour problem, they recommended that only cleaners who have undergone specialised trainings should be hired, in addition to stepping up on the cleaning and inspection schedule of toilets.

Respondents also felt that the design of toilets should be improved to provide a more pleasant experience for users -- this includes widening the space between cubicles and providing more litter bins near urinals to minimise littering.

In addition, the survey revealed ways to boost public awareness and engagement to ensure cleaner public toilets. For example, using a deterrent approach in poster displays such as fatal consequences of unhygienic practices.

To address the issues raised by RAS, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be stepping up inspections for errant operators who do not keep their toilets clean.

Currently, NEA inspectors conduct routine checks on coffeeshop toilets once a month. But this will be stepped up to three times a month for toilets that are found to be dirty.

NEA will also continue to take action against poorly maintained toilets in food establishments via demerit points and fines. Should operators chalk up 24 demerit points, NEA will suspend the food establishments until hygiene and cleanliness standards of the premises are met.

In addition, NEA assured the public that they will be looking into the design and infrastructural elements of public toilets to make it easier to keep the toilets clean. Training for toilet cleaners will also be increased.

NEA stressed that the public can play a part to contribute towards cleaner public toilets. They can send pictures of dirty toilets to NEA via their new mobile app -- myENV. They can also continue to send pictures to contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg or provide feedback to RAS on their website.