Singapore, 14 Mar 2025 – Construction firm Pal-Link Construction Pte Ltd (Pal-Link) was fined a total of $49,000 on 11 March 2025 for damaging a potable water main and carrying out works within a water pipe corridor without prior approval on 4 October 2024. The damage caused significant disruption when water flooded the nearby Marine Drive HDB estate and resulted in substantial water loss of approximately 1.1 million gallons – the equivalent of two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
2 PUB’s investigations showed that Pal-Link, the contractor responsible for the construction of lift shafts for an existing pedestrian overhead bridge along Still Road South, did not seek prior approval to install temporary underground earth retaining structures in the vicinity of water mains, a requirement under the Public Utilities Act. During the works, the contractor’s excavator damaged the underground water main located at a depth of 1.8 metres.
3 Water gushed out from the damaged 300mm diameter water main and flooded all four lanes of the adjacent Still Road South and the nearby Marine Drive HDB estate. While PUB managed to isolate the leak to stop the flow, there was a build-up of traffic over 30 minutes and the leftmost lane had to be closed for more than a day to facilitate urgent repair works. The works required were complex and the reinstatement of the damaged pipe and full reopening of Still Road South could only be completed the following day.
4 The incident also caused a lift breakdown at Block 67 Marine Drive due to water entering the lift shaft. Business operations at a convenience store located in the same block were also disrupted for a few hours due to the flooding.
5 PUB takes a serious view of such incidents. Any damage to our water mains will incur significant amounts of water wastage, result in economic losses and cause disruption and inconvenience to the public. Contractors must refer to PUB’s Water Service Plan and exercise caution when carrying out construction works within close proximity to water mains. Contractors are also required to ensure all necessary safety precautions are implemented before the commencement of works.
6 Under the Public Utilities Act, the penalty for damaging a water main or connecting pipe with a diameter of 300mm or more is a fine of up to $200,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Contractors who carry out works in the vicinity of water mains without an approved plan are liable to a fine of up to $10,000.
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