Ministry of Environment and Water Resources of : Oral reply by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, to Parliamentary Question on Statistics on Pipe Leaks on 10 January 2018

Question by Mr Leon Perera:

To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what is the number of water pipe leaks each year for the past 10 years.

Reply by Dr Amy Khor:

1. Mr Deputy Speaker, PUB operates a 5,500km network of pipes to deliver water to 1.5 million customer accounts. Over the last 7 years, Singapore has experienced about 6 leaks per 100km of pipes per year. This is down from about 10 leaks per 100 km per year in 2003-2004 and among the lowest incidence in the world.

2. PUB has a stringent pipe laying regime to ensure that pipelines are well designed and implemented. PUB also constantly looks out for improved methods and materials, for example, the use of more corrosion resistant polyurethane coating.3. However, despite the best design and implementation, leaks do occur mainly because of corrosion, uneven soil settlement or damage from construction work. Corrosion and soil settlement can impact all pipes, especially as they age.4. PUB has a comprehensive leak detection process to pick up leaks as early as possible. PUB conducts physical checks of its entire pipe network at least once a year, or more frequently where necessary. Portable acoustic leak noise data loggers are used to aid leak detection. Beyond detecting leaks, PUB has a Pipe Renewal Programme to pro-actively replace older pipes or pipes which are more prone to leaks due to local conditions. The renewal rate has increased from 20 km per year in 2016 to 30 km per year in 2017 and will reach 50km per year in 2018.5. For leaks due to construction damage, PUB takes tough action against errant parties, which could include the issue of a stop work notice to cease construction activities immediately and the imposition of financial penalties if pipes are damaged. Regulations were strengthened in 2017 to require companies to notify or seek approval from PUB before undertaking construction activities that may affect the pipe network and to ensure appropriate protection measures. 6. When leaks occur, PUB seeks to fix them quickly. Most incidents are resolved within a few hours. Occasionally, due to the need to ensure that water supply to residents is not disrupted when leaking pipelines are isolated from the rest of the network, more time is required to switch residents over to an alternative supply pipeline before the affected pipeline can be shut off.7. Water is precious and everybody needs to do his or her part to conserve it. I would like to assure members and Singaporeans that PUB engineers will continue to do their best to maintain Singapore's water supply network and ensure good water supply to customers round the clock.