A construction firm that damaged a water main and caused flooding in Marine Parade was fined S$49,000 on 11 March 2025.
National water agency PUB stated on 14 March that Pal-Link Construction had damaged a potable water main and conducted works within a water pipe corridor without prior approval on 4 October 2024.
The damage resulted in water flooding the Marine Drive Housing Board estate, leading to the loss of approximately 1.1 million gallons, equivalent to two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
According to PUB, Pal-Link Construction was responsible for constructing lift shafts for an existing pedestrian overhead bridge along Still Road South.
However, the company did not seek prior approval before installing temporary underground earth-retaining structures near the water mains.
During the works, an excavator operated by the contractor struck an underground water main buried at a depth of 1.8 metres.
Water gushed out from the 300mm diameter pipe, flooding all four lanes of Still Road South and the nearby Marine Drive estate.
Although PUB managed to isolate the leak and stop the water flow, the flooding led to a traffic build-up lasting about 30 minutes.
The left-most lane of Still Road South remained closed for over a day to facilitate repairs.
A PUB spokesperson explained, “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.”
The incident also caused a lift breakdown at Block 67 Marine Drive, as water entered the lift shaft.
Additionally, a convenience store located in the same block experienced temporary disruptions to its business operations due to the flooding.
PUB reminded contractors to comply with approval requirements before carrying out construction works near water mains to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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 S$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 S$10,000.
The post Construction firm fined S$49,000 for damaging water main and causing flood in Marine Parade appeared first on The Online Citizen.
