PUB, Singapore`s National Water Agency services

Due to sound watershed management, effective water treatment processes and continued investments in R&D, Singaporeans have been enjoying good quality water for the last four decades. Singapore’s tap water is well within the World Health Organisation drinking water guidelines, and is suitable for drinking without any further filtration.

All water fittings such as flushing cisterns, flush valves, pipes, pipe fittings, taps, valves, etc for use in potable water service installations in Singapore shall comply with the standards and requirements stipulated by PUB. Prior PUB approval for the water fittings is not required but suppliers, retailers and installers shall ensure that the water fittings comply with the standards and requirements stipulated by PUB and that their use in potable water service installations conform to the Public Utilities (Water Supply) Regulations and Singapore Standard CP48 : Code of Practice for Water Services. For flush valves and flushing cisterns, suppliers, retailers and installers of such fittings shall have to ensure compliance with the requirements on backflow prevention and wastage of water as stipulated in the Public Utilities (Water Supply) Regulations and the Singapore Standard CP48 : Code of Practice for Water Services.

PUB adopts a simplified procedure for the design, installation and inspection of water service installations within the customer"s premises. Water service workers, i.e. Professional Engineers (PEs) or the Licensed Water Service Plumbers (LWSPs), need not obtain PUB"s approval for the detailed water reticulation system drawings and apply for an inspection before turn-on of the water supply.

A plumbing system refers to the pipes and fixtures installed in a premise/building for the supply of drinking water and the disposal of used water. Water service plumbing work refers to the laying, installation, alteration, repair or replacement of water pipes, tanks, taps and fittings in the drinking water supply system, for the conveyance of drinking water.

The aim of R&D in intelligent watershed management is to leverage on developments in instrumentation and controls and innovative IT solutions to enhance PUB"s capability in managing water resources and controlling floods. For example, through simulations, PUB is able to predict future events that impact on water quality and quantity, thus facilitating planning for mitigating measures to be carried out accordingly.