Tariffs for supply of water and apparatus, etc., payable to Board
Open ↗20.—(1) The prices to be charged for the supply of water by the Board and the hire of apparatus must be in accordance with such tariffs as may be prescribed.[9/2012]
(2) Subject to section 14, for the purpose of determining the price to be charged for the supply of water by it, the Board may take into consideration all costs incurred in enabling it to supply the water, including (but not limited to) the following:(a)
the collection of water from any source, whether water from any natural source, used water (including sewage, waste matter and effluent) or otherwise;
(b)
the purchase of water from any source;
(c)
the storage of water;
(d)
the treatment of water to the standards necessary for the use for which the water is required;
(e)
the supply of water to any premises;
(f)
the maintenance of any system employed in the collection, storage, treatment or supply of water;
(g)
ensuring the quality, safety and security of the water supply.[9/2012]
(3) In determining the price to be charged for the supply of water by the Board, subsection (2) does not permit the Board to take into consideration —(a)
the costs in connection with any activity referred to in that subsection if an amount of tax is payable in relation to that same activity under subsection (7) (whether by the same person paying the price or otherwise); or
(b)
any costs borne by the Government or by the Board on behalf of the Government.[9/2012]
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Board may prescribe different prices for persons differently situated, including different prices for different volumes of water supplied.[9/2012]
(5) Nothing in this section prevents the Board from —(a)
charging other prices by special agreement which need not be prescribed; or
(b)
fixing, with the approval of the Minister, different tariffs for consumers similarly situated for a temporary period.
(6) The Board must, in fixing tariffs and making agreements for the supply of water, neither show undue preference as between consumers similarly situated nor exercise undue discrimination as between persons similarly situated, having regard to the place and time of supply, the quantity supplied, and the purpose for which the supply is taken.
(7) A waterborne tax must be paid to the Board for the discharge of the Board’s functions in relation to used water (including sewage, waste matter and effluent) and sewerage in accordance with an order under subsection (7A) (read with subsection (8)).[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(7A) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, make provision for —(a)
the types or descriptions of premises in connection with which the waterborne tax is payable;
(b)
the amount of the waterborne tax; and
(c)
the time of payment of the waterborne tax.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(8) The waterborne tax is payable by —(a)
an occupier of premises in connection with which the waterborne tax is payable (including the Government); or[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(b)
where the premises are vacant, the owner of the premises (including the Government).[9/2012]
(9) In determining the amount of the waterborne tax payable by any person, the Minister may base the calculation of the tax on all or any of the following: (a)
the number of sanitary appliances which are installed in the premises;
(b)
the volume, or a reasonable estimate of the volume, of water supplied to the premises (whether or not by the Board);[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(ba)
where an occupier of the premises extracts water —(i)
the volume, or a reasonable estimate of the volume, of extracted water or water derived from the extracted water that is used by the occupier (whether or not at the premises at which the water is extracted); and[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(ii)
the volume, or a reasonable estimate of the volume, of extracted water or water derived from the extracted water that is supplied by the occupier to any other person;[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(c)
the volume, or a reasonable estimate of the volume, of used water (including sewage, waste matter and effluent) disposed of.[9/2012; 11/2018]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(9A) Where the calculation of the waterborne tax is based on the volume or estimated volume of water under subsection (9)(b), (ba) or (c), the Minister may, in the order under subsection (7A), further prescribe for any volume or estimated volume to be excluded from the volume or estimated volume under subsection (9)(b), (ba) or (c) (as the case may be) in calculating the waterborne tax payable, in the circumstances prescribed in the order.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(10) For the purposes of subsection (7), the Minister may, in the order under subsection (7A), provide for different amounts of waterborne tax for persons differently situated, including different amounts of waterborne tax for —(a)
different volumes or estimated volumes of water supplied (whether or not supplied by the Board);[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(b)
different volumes or estimated volumes of extracted water or water derived from extracted water used or supplied;[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(c)
different circumstances of use or supply of different types or descriptions of water; and
(d)
different volumes or estimated volumes of used water (including sewage, waste matter and effluent) disposed of.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(11) The waterborne tax collected under this section must be paid into the funds of the Board.[9/2012]
(12) Without affecting section 25, any waterborne tax payable under this section may be recovered by the Board as a debt due to the Board.[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(13) The Board may, with the Minister’s approval, grant any amount of rebate on, or waive the payment of any amount of —(a)
any price charged by the Board under subsection (1) to any person or class of persons; or
(b)
any waterborne tax payable under subsection (7) by any person or class of persons,
as the Board may determine.
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(14) To avoid doubt, a rebate or waiver under subsection (13) need not be published in the Gazette.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(15) Any order made under subsection (7A) must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Water conservation tax for supply of water
Open ↗20A.—(1) A water conservation tax must be paid to the Board in connection with a supply of water (whether or not by the Board) in accordance with an order under subsection (2).
(2) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, make provision for —(a)
the types or descriptions of water supplied, or the circumstances of the supply of any type or description of water, in connection with which the water conservation tax is payable;
(b)
the amount of the water conservation tax;
(c)
the time of payment of the water conservation tax; and
(d)
the person (including the Government) who must pay the water conservation tax.[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(3) Where the calculation of the water conservation tax is based on a volume or estimated volume of water for the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the Minister may, in the order under subsection (2), further prescribe for any volume or estimated volume to be excluded from the volume or estimated volume for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) in calculating the water conservation tax payable, in the circumstances prescribed in the order.[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may, in the order under subsection (2), provide for different amounts of water conservation tax for persons differently situated, including different amounts of water conservation tax for —(a)
different volumes or estimated volumes of water supplied;[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(b)
different types or descriptions of water supplied; and
(c)
different circumstances of supply of different types or descriptions of water.[Act 8 of 2026 wef 29/05/2026]
(5) Without affecting section 25, any water conservation tax payable under this section may be recovered by the Board as a debt due to the Board.
(6) The water conservation tax collected by the Board under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
(7) The Board may, with the Minister’s approval, grant any amount of rebate on, or waive the payment of any amount of, any water conservation tax payable under this section by any person or class of persons, as the Board may determine.
(8) To avoid doubt, a rebate or waiver under subsection (7) need not be published in the Gazette.
(9) Any order made under subsection (2) must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/04/2024]
Board may supply water
Open ↗21.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may supply water to any person who undertakes to enter into an agreement with the Board for the supply on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.[9/2012]
(2) The Board may require any person who requires a supply of water to accept in respect of the supply —(a)
any condition requiring the person to provide sufficient premises, and to construct rooms, buildings or structures, as may be considered necessary by the Board for the purposes of the supply; and
(b)
any condition giving the Board the right to use the premises, rooms, buildings or structures provided or constructed under paragraph (a) as the Board thinks fit.[9/2012]
(3) The Board may refuse to give, or may discontinue, a supply of water to any premises which —(a)
has been erected in contravention of any written law;
(b)
is in a ruinous or dangerous condition; or
(c)
has a water service installation that is in an unsatisfactory condition.[9/2012]
(4) Without affecting subsection (3), the Board may —(a)
refuse to enter into an agreement for the supply; or
(b)
enter into an agreement for a reduced supply,
of water that is not for human consumption to any premises, where the Board is of the opinion that it is impracticable or uneconomical to supply the water to those premises.
[9/2012]
(5) The Board shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused to any person by —(a)
any refusal or discontinuance of the supply of water under subsection (3); or
(b)
any refusal to enter into an agreement for the supply of water, or entering into an agreement for a reduced supply of water, under subsection (4).[9/2012]
Board may require security
Open ↗22.—(1) Subject to this section, the Board may require any person who requires a supply of water to give the Board reasonable security for the payment to it of all moneys which may become due to the Board —(a)
in respect of the supply; or
(b)
in respect of the provision of any water installation.
(2) If that person fails to give the security, the Board may, if it thinks fit, refuse to give the supply or to provide any water installation for so long as the failure continues.
(3) Where any person has not given the security mentioned in subsection (1), or the security given by any person has become invalid or insufficient —(a)
the Board may by notice require that person, within 7 days after the service of the notice, to give the Board reasonable security for the payment of all moneys which may become due to the Board in respect of the supply; and
(b)
if that person fails to give the security, the Board may if it thinks fit discontinue the supply for so long as the failure continues.
(4) The Board shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused to any person by the discontinuance of the supply of water to the person under subsection (3).
Board may cut off supply of water in default of payment
Open ↗23.—(1) If any person entitled to a supply of water under any agreement under section 21 makes default in payment of any sum payable by the person under the agreement, the Board may discontinue the supply of water by severing or disconnecting any pipe (whether or not belonging to or under the control or management of the Board) or other work through which water is supplied and may, until any sum payable under the agreement together with the expenses incurred by the Board in so discontinuing the supply are fully paid, discontinue the supply of water to that person.
(2) If, in the opinion of the Board, any person is responsible for the misuse or waste of any water supplied by the Board, the Board may give written notice to that person calling upon that person to cause the misuse or waste to be discontinued within the period specified in the notice and, if the misuse or waste continues after the expiry of that period, the Board may discontinue the supply of water to that person by severing or disconnecting the service pipe or by such other means as it thinks fit.
(3) The Board shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused to any person by the discontinuance of the supply of water to the person under subsection (1) or (2).
Power to enter upon premises for survey, inspection, etc.
Open ↗24.—(1) The Board may, for the purposes of this Act, by its employees, agents or contractors, enter any premises at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises, for the purpose of making any survey or inspection and for the purpose of executing any work authorised by this Act to be executed by the Board without being liable to pay any person any fee, charge or expense or to any legal proceedings or molestation on account of such entry or of anything done in any part of the premises under this Act.[9/2012]
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Board must not by its employees, agents or contractors enter any dwelling house in actual occupation, except with the consent of the occupier of the house, without 6 hours’ previous notice to the occupier.
(3) The Minister may declare that any class of premises for the control and supervision of which regulations may be made under this Act are liable to inspection at any time of the day or night, and upon the declaration any employee, agent or contractor duly authorised in writing by the Board to do so may, at any time of the day or night and without notice, enter using such force as may be necessary and search or inspect any premises of the class specified in the declaration.[9/2012]
Power to enter premises for installation of pipes, water installations, etc.
Open ↗24A.—(1) The Board may, for the purposes of this Act, by its employees, agents or contractors, enter any premises at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises, for all or any of the following purposes:(a)
to lay or install under, over, in, on or through the premises, any mains, pipes, water installations or water service installations that the Board considers necessary for the supply of water to those or other premises;
(b)
to lay or install under, over, in, on or through the premises any meters that the Board considers necessary to measure, ascertain or regulate the supply of water (including extracted water or water derived from extracted water) to those or other premises, or the use of water (including extracted water or water derived from extracted water) at those premises;[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(c)
to inspect, maintain, adjust, repair or alter —(i)
any main, pipe, water installation or water service installation mentioned in paragraph (a) or any meter mentioned in paragraph (b); and
(ii)
any other main, water installation or pipe that is acquired by the Board, and is used for the supply of water to those or other premises;[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(d)
to carry out any works requisite for, or incidental to, the purposes of any works falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c), including —(i)
excavating any premises, sewer or drain;
(ii)
tunnelling or boring under any premises, sewer or drain;
(iii)
removing or using all earth and materials in or under any premises, sewer or drain; and
(iv)
erecting, placing or installing any equipment or apparatus in or under any premises.[9/2012; 11/2018; 13/2020]
(1A) Without affecting subsection (1)(b), the Board may by written notice require any owner or occupier of premises at which water is extracted or extracted water is received, or from which extracted water or water derived from extracted water is supplied, to carry out any works necessary for the laying or installation of any meter by the Board, and for the works to be completed by a date specified in the notice.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(1B) Where a written notice has been served on an owner or occupier of premises under subsection (1A) and the works specified in the notice are not completed by the date specified in the notice for their completion, the owner or occupier shall be guilty of an offence if the owner or occupier on or after that date —(a)
extracts water or receives extracted water at the premises; or
(b)
supplies extracted water or water derived from extracted water from the premises,
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to a further fine not exceeding $250 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) Except as provided under Part 3A, the Board shall not be liable to pay any person any fee, charge or expense on account of any entry to any premises or of anything done to the premises under this section, or for any cost or expense incurred by any person in complying with any requirement of the Board under subsection (1A).[9/2012; 12/2015]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(3) However, the Board must not enter any premises for the purposes specified in subsection (1) unless the Board has given at least 14 days’ written notice of intention to enter to every owner and occupier of the premises.[9/2012; 12/2015]
(4) A notice mentioned in subsection (3) must —(a)
state the estimated period (if any) during which the Board intends to temporarily occupy or take possession of the premises;
(b)
give a brief description of the works (if any) which are to be carried out in or on the premises;
(c)
describe the area or extent of the land and the subterranean space needed for the carrying out of the works mentioned in paragraph (b); and
(d)
state that the owner or occupier of the premises may serve on the Board a claim of compensation for the items of loss, damage or cost set out in the first column of the Fourth Schedule to the extent of the loss, damage or cost suffered or incurred by the owner or occupier of the premises.[12/2015]
(5) The Board may serve a notice on the owner or supplier of any gas, electricity, water or telecommunication services —(a)
to alter the course or position of any wire, line, cable, pipe, tube, casing, duct, post, structure or other apparatus which belongs to that owner or supplier or is maintained by that owner or supplier if, in the opinion of the Board, such alteration is required for the purposes of subsection (1); and
(b)
to repair any premises thereby disturbed,
and where any approval of a statutory authority is required for that alteration, to do so in accordance with that approval.
[9/2012]
(6) The Board may give notice to the owner or occupier of any premises requiring the owner or occupier to remove any object or structure described in the notice which is erected on or attached to, or projects from, the premises if, in the opinion of the Board, the removal of the object or structure is required for any of the purposes specified in subsection (1).[9/2012]
(7) Any costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the owner, supplier or occupier in complying with any notice under subsection (5) or (6) must be borne by the Board.[9/2012]
Board may act in cases of emergency
Open ↗24B.—(1) Despite anything in section 24, 24A, 31, 32 or 33, where the Board considers that immediate action is necessary —(a)
upon the occurrence of an emergency, fire or excessive drought;
(b)
because the quality of water supplied fails to meet the standards required by the Board;
(c)
to facilitate the repair, alteration, replacement or maintenance of any main, installation or water installation;
(d)
to avoid undue interference with the supply of water to consumers;
(e)
to conserve water supply; or
(f)
in the interests of public safety or for other reasons affecting public interest,
the Board may immediately and without notice enter any premises and carry out, or direct the immediate execution of, any work or the doing of any act, being any work or act authorised under any of those sections, which is in the opinion of the Board necessary for the service or safety of the public.
[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) Where, under subsection (1), the Board carries out, or directs the immediate execution of, any work or the doing of any act authorised under section 33(2)(b), the Board may recover, as a debt due to it, from the person who caused the hindrance or obstruction, or likely hindrance or obstruction, mentioned in section 33, any cost or expense reasonably incurred by the Board as a result of the work or act.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Recovery of moneys due to Board
Open ↗25.—(1) If the amount of any tax under this Act or the amount of any moneys which is due from any person for —(a)
the supply of water by the Board to any premises owned or occupied by the person;
(b)
work done or materials provided in connection with the work; or
(c)
the supply or hire by the Board of any water fitting, apparatus, appliance, accessory or appurtenance thereof,
is not paid within the time allowed for such payment to be made, a notice may be issued requiring the defaulter to pay the same, together with a fee of such amount as may be prescribed for the cost of issuing the notice, within 7 days from the date of the notice.
[9/2012]
(2) If the amount and fee are not paid within the period of 7 days, a warrant may be issued by the Board to any employee of the Board named in the warrant, directing him or her to levy the same and the costs of recovery by seizure and sale of the movable property of the defaulter.
(3) The person to whom any such warrant is addressed may break open in the daytime any house or building for the purpose of seizing property pursuant to the warrant.
(4) Such fees as may be prescribed are payable by way of costs in the case of the issue of a warrant for the recovery of any debts under this section.
(5) The person to whom any such warrant is addressed must make an inventory of the property seized under the warrant and must at the same time give written notice to the person in possession of the property at the time of seizure that the property will be sold.
(6) The property seized by virtue of any such warrant is to be sold by public auction by the person to whom the warrant is addressed or by some other person appointed by the Board at any time after the end of 7 days from the date of the seizure, unless in the meantime the amount of the debt and the costs mentioned in the warrant have been paid.
(7) The surplus (if any) accruing from the sale, after deducting the amount of the debt and the costs, must be paid to the owner of the property so sold.
(8) Any surplus remaining unclaimed for a period of 12 months from the date of the sale must be paid to the credit of the Board’s fund and no person thereafter is entitled to demand and receive it.
Water installation not to be relocated, etc., without Board’s approval
Open ↗26.—(1) A person must not carry out, or cause to be carried out, any works for the purpose of relocating any water installation or altering any water installation (including by replacing the water installation with another water installation) belonging to or under the management or control of the Board (called in this section the original water installation), except in accordance with this section.
(2) The Board’s approval for the works must be obtained before the works start.
(3) An application for the Board’s approval must be submitted to the Board with the plans for the works and any other information or document required by the Board, in the form and manner required by the Board.
(4) The Board may grant an approval under subsection (2) subject to any conditions the Board thinks fit, including any of the following:(a)
for the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation (as the case may be) to have a higher or lower capacity than the original water installation, whether or not the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation serves the premises at which it is situated;
(b)
the transfer of ownership to the Board of any water installation or any part of the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation, and any other structure, appurtenance or apparatus that is constructed or installed in connection with the relocation or alteration;
(c)
the provision by a person mentioned in subsection (8) to the Board, whether by assignment or otherwise —(i)
of any warranty against defects that become apparent within the period specified in the condition, in the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation, or in any structure, appurtenance or apparatus mentioned in paragraph (b); and
(ii)
of any undertaking to make good any such defects at the costs and expenses of the person providing the warranty.
(5) Where the Board grants an approval under subsection (2), the costs and expenses of the Board for the following matters must be borne jointly and severally by the persons mentioned in subsection (8):(a)
any inspection by the Board of works being carried out and of the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation;
(b)
the commissioning of the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation, including for any water used in the course of the commissioning;
(c)
the decommissioning of the original water installation.
(6) A person who carries out, or causes to be carried out, any works mentioned in subsection (1) for which the Board’s approval under subsection (2) has not been obtained shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.
(7) Where any works mentioned in subsection (1) have been or are being carried out for which the Board’s approval has not been obtained, or any condition imposed by the Board under subsection (4) has been contravened, the Board may serve on any person mentioned in subsection (8) a written notice directing any of the following:(a)
to immediately stop any of the works, either indefinitely or for a period specified in the notice;
(b)
to carry out any works that the Board thinks necessary for any of the following:(i)
to remove any water installation;
(ii)
to make good the original water installation to its original state and condition;
(iii)
to replace any water installation at the new location or the altered water installation with another water installation;
(iv)
to make good any defects in the water installation at the new location or the altered water installation, or any structure, appurtenance or apparatus, that would have been covered by any warranty or undertaking mentioned in subsection (4)(c);
(c)
to take any measures that the Board thinks necessary to comply with any condition imposed under subsection (4) that has been contravened.
(8) A written notice mentioned in subsection (7) may be served on all or any of the following persons:(a)
any person carrying out or who carried out the works for the purpose of relocating or altering the original water installation;
(b)
any person causing or who caused to be carried out the works for the purpose of relocating or altering the original water installation.
(9) All costs and expenses incurred by a person in complying with a written notice mentioned in subsection (7) must be borne by the person.
(10) Where a person on whom a written notice mentioned in subsection (7) has been served fails to comply with the notice, an authorised officer may, at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises at which the works mentioned in subsection (1) are being or have been carried out, enter the premises and execute any works and take any measures needed to secure compliance with the written notice, but without affecting any proceedings (whether criminal or otherwise) that may be taken against that person under this Act.
(11) Without affecting the Board’s right to exercise its powers under subsections (10) and (14), a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a written notice served on the person under subsection (7) shall be guilty of an offence.
(12) Nothing in this section prohibits the Board from carrying out —(a)
any works mentioned in subsection (1) at any person’s request; or
(b)
any works or measures specified in any written notice mentioned in subsection (7) at the request of the person on whom the written notice was served,
upon the person’s undertaking to pay the Board’s costs and expenses in carrying out the works or measures.
(13) Nothing in subsection (12) imposes on the Board, directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to carry out the works or measures mentioned in that subsection.
(14) The Board may recover as a debt due to it —(a)
the costs and expenses under subsection (5) from the person mentioned in that subsection;
(b)
any costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Board under subsection (10) from any person who failed to comply with a written notice served on the person under subsection (7); and
(c)
any costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Board under subsection (12) from the person who made the request to the Board.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/04/2024]
Board may stop or interrupt supply of water
Open ↗27.—(1) The Board may, despite any agreement made with any consumer for the supply of water, stop, turn off or divert in part or wholly the water in any main or other works under its control or management —(a)
upon the occurrence of an emergency, fire, or excessive drought;
(b)
if the quality of water supplied fails to meet the standards required by the Board;
(c)
if this is necessary to facilitate the repair or replacement of any main, installation or water installation, construction of new works, alteration to or maintenance of existing works, or the installation, changing or removal of any meter;
(d)
if this is necessary to avoid inconvenience to other consumers or undue interference with the water supply to other consumers;
(e)
if this is necessary to conserve water supply; or
(f)
if it is in the interests of public safety or in the public interest to do so.[9/2012]
(2) The Board shall not be liable in respect of any loss or damage caused to any person by reason of —(a)
any failure to provide or delay in providing any supply of water or any apparatus associated with the supply of water; or
(b)
any failure, interruption, suspension or restriction of any supply of water.
Board may reduce supply of water
Open ↗28. The Board may, without incurring any liability for so doing other than the liability to make a proportionate abatement in the sum agreed to be paid for the supply of water, reduce as the Board thinks fit the quantity of water supplied in any case, if at any time it is of the opinion that its supply of water is insufficient for purposes of normal supply to the public.
Property of Board not to be subject to distress or taken under or pursuant to enforcement order
Open ↗29. When any pipe or other apparatus belonging to the Board is placed in or upon premises not being in the possession of the Board for the purpose of supplying water, the pipe or other apparatus is not subject to distress and is not to be taken under or pursuant to an enforcement order under any process of any court or in any proceedings in bankruptcy against the person in whose possession it is.[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
Apparatus, appliances, etc., let for hire by Board not to be subject to distress or taken under or pursuant to enforcement order
Open ↗30. Any apparatus, appliance, accessory, fitting and appurtenance let for hire by the Board and placed in or upon any premises not being in the possession of the Board is not subject to distress and is not to be taken under or pursuant to an enforcement order under any process of any court or in any proceedings in bankruptcy against the person in whose possession it is.[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
Power to enter premises to examine pipes, etc.
Open ↗31.—(1) The Board may by its employees, agents or contractors, at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises, enter any premises to or from which water (including extracted water and water derived from extracted water) is or has been supplied for all or any of the following purposes:(a)
to examine and if necessary repair, renew or replace the pipes, meters, fittings, works or apparatus for, or in respect of, the supply of water belonging to or which are supplied from mains belonging to the Board;
(b)
to ascertain the quantity of water used or supplied;[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(c)
when the Board is authorised to discontinue the supply of water from any premises, to remove any pipe, fitting, meter, work or apparatus belonging to the Board;
(d)
to repair any damage caused by such entry, inspection or removal.[9/2012; 13/2020]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), where a person —(a)
extracts water or derives water from water extracted by the person; and
(b)
uses the extracted water or water so derived at any premises,
the water so used by the person is regarded as being or having been supplied to those premises.
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) The Board may by its employees, agents or contractors, at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises, enter upon or pass through any premises into, through, by, along or under which any of its mains, pipes or other works or any main, pipe or work connected therewith passes or is located —(a)
to inspect and, if necessary, to repair, alter, take up, relay, rearrange or otherwise deal with them as the circumstances may require; and
(b)
to repair any damage caused by such entry or anything done under paragraph (a).[9/2012]
(3) The Board shall not be liable to pay any person any fee, charge or expense or to any legal proceedings or molestation on account of such entry or of anything done to the premises under this section.
Power to enter upon premises adjacent to works
Open ↗32.—(1) The Board may, by its employees, agents or contractors, enter any premises adjoining to or being within the distance of 100 metres of any works by this Act authorised to be made —(a)
for the purpose of depositing upon the premises any soil, gravel, sand, lime, brick, stone or other materials; or
(b)
for any other purpose connected with those works,
without making any previous payment, tender or deposit.
(2) However, the Board must not enter any premises for the purposes specified in subsection (1) unless the Board has given at least 7 days’ written notice of its intention to enter to every owner and occupier of the premises.[12/2015]
(3) A notice mentioned in subsection (2) must —(a)
state the estimated period (if any) during which the Board intends to temporarily occupy or take possession of the premises;
(b)
give a brief description of the works (if any) which are to be carried out in or on the premises;
(c)
describe the area or extent of the land and the subterranean space needed for the carrying out of the works mentioned in paragraph (b); and
(d)
state that the owner or occupier of the premises may serve on the Board a claim of compensation for the items of loss, damage or cost set out in the first column of the Fourth Schedule to the extent of the loss, damage or cost suffered or incurred by the owner or occupier of the premises.[12/2015]
Removal of obstruction above or in vicinity of water installation
Open ↗33.—(1) Where the Board is of the opinion that any structure, object or any accumulation of any substance that exists above or in the vicinity of any water installation belonging to the Board hinders or obstructs or is likely to hinder or obstruct access to the water installation, the Board may by written notice direct —(a)
the person to whom the structure, object or accumulation of substance belongs;
(b)
the person who caused the structure, object or accumulation of substance to be where it exists; or
(c)
the owner or occupier of the premises on which the structure, object or accumulation of substance exists,
to remove the structure, object or accumulation of substance within the time specified in the notice.
[11/2018; 13/2020]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) Where the person on whom a notice under subsection (1) has been served fails to comply with it —(a)
the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both; and
(b)
the Board may —(i)
take all steps as it thinks necessary to secure the removal of the structure, object or accumulation of substance; or
(ii)
relocate or divert the water installation,
and recover any costs reasonably incurred by it from the person.
[13/2020]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(3) To avoid doubt, the Board may exercise its powers under subsection (2)(b) whether or not any proceedings have been started, or any conviction has been obtained, pursuant to subsection (2)(a).[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Notice of obstruction of pipe or other apparatus to be given to Board
Open ↗34.—(1) Where any pipe or other apparatus placed in or upon any premises for the use or supply of water to the occupier of the premises becomes obstructed or in any way damaged so as to cause a waste of water, the occupier must, immediately on the same coming to the occupier’s knowledge, give notice thereof to the Board.
(2) Any such occupier who neglects to give such notice after acquiring such knowledge shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, and the supply may be summarily discontinued by the order of the Board until the necessary repairs are effected.
Penalty or late payment charge
Open ↗35.—(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, prescribe a penalty or late payment charge (such penalty or late payment charge, if unpaid, to constitute a debt due to the Board and be recoverable as such) to be paid to the Board for late payment of any fee or charge (including any price mentioned in section 20(1)) or tax payable under this Act. [9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) The Board may, with the Minister’s approval, waive the payment of any amount of a penalty or late payment charge under subsection (1) in respect of any person or class of persons.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(3) To avoid doubt, a waiver under subsection (2) need not be published in the Gazette.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Contribution towards capital outlay to provide water supply
Open ↗36.—(1) Where the Government considers it necessary for water supply to be provided in any area, whether for domestic or non-domestic purposes, and where the Board considers it uneconomical to provide the supply without a contribution from the Government, the Government may make such contribution towards the capital outlay necessary to provide the supply as may be estimated by the Board and agreed by the Government.
(2) Where the owner of any land proposes to erect on the land buildings for which water supply will be needed, whether for domestic or non-domestic purposes, and it is uneconomical for the Board to provide the supply, the Board may require the owner to make such contribution towards the capital outlay necessary to provide the supply as may be estimated by the Board and agreed by the owner.
(3) A supply of water for domestic purposes does not include a supply of water —(a)
for cattle or horses or for washing vehicles where the cattle, horses or vehicles are kept for sale or hire or kept by a common carrier;
(b)
where the supply is used substantially for watering lands or gardens or for fountains or for any ornamental purpose; or
(c)
to any premises any part of which is used for the purpose of any trade, manufacture or business.
General provisions relating to discontinuation of supply of water
Open ↗37.—(1) If, at any time after the supply of water to any premises has been discontinued by the Board under any provision of this Act, it is found that the supply has been reinstated without the authority of the Board and the water is being used by any person on the premises, the occupier of the premises is deemed, until the contrary is proved, to have authorised such user and shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to a further fine not exceeding $250 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
(2) Where the Board has discontinued the supply of water to any premises under this Act, the Board may resume the supply within a reasonable time if the person in default —(a)
has made good the default; and
(b)
has paid the reasonable expenses of disconnecting and re-connecting the supply.
Board in executing works to provide convenient ways, etc.
Open ↗38.—(1) The Board in executing any works directed or authorised to be made must provide and make a sufficient number of convenient ways, watercourses, drains and channels in the place of such as are interrupted, damaged or rendered useless by reason of the execution of the works.
(2) The Board must make reasonable compensation to any person who suffers damage by reason of the same.
Entry into Board’s premises without consent, etc.
Open ↗39.—(1) Despite any written law, a person must not enter or use any premises belonging to the Board, or reserved for the Board for laying of a main, without the prior written consent of the Board.
(2) The Board may, by written notice, require any person whose cable, pipe, main or other property of whatever description is located under, over, in, on, along or across the premises mentioned in subsection (1) to remove the cable, pipe, main or property from the premises within the period specified in the notice.
(3) All costs and expenses incurred by the person in complying with the notice must be borne by the person.
(4) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
Water efficiency requirements for new facilities
Open ↗40.—(1) This section applies to a new facility —(a)
that is to be or has been built for the purpose of carrying on a specified business activity that falls within a prescribed industry; and
(b)
the operation of which is for a purpose that requires an annual water use (determined in accordance with a prescribed method or a method that satisfies the prescribed criteria) that equals or exceeds the prescribed threshold.
(2) The person proposing to build the new facility must obtain the Board’s approval for the projected water balance chart for the new facility before the start of any building works for the new facility.
(3) A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.
(4) Where the Board’s approval is not obtained in accordance with subsection (2), the Board may serve on any person building the new facility a written notice directing the person to obtain the Board’s approval for the projected water balance chart for the new facility, within the period specified in the notice.
(5) To avoid doubt, the Board may serve more than one written notice on the same person, so long as the Board’s approval for the projected water balance chart has not been obtained in accordance with subsection (2) or any written notice previously served on any person under subsection (4).
(6) A person who fails to comply with a written notice under subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.
(7) The occupier of the new facility must ensure that the operation of the new facility satisfies the prescribed water efficiency requirements applicable to the new facility.
(8) The Board may, in any particular case, waive or modify any prescribed water efficiency requirement applicable to a new facility if the Board is satisfied, on a written application by the occupier or owner of the new facility, that there are good reasons to do so.
(9) To avoid doubt —(a)
where any prescribed water efficiency requirement applicable to a new facility is waived by the Board under subsection (8), the reference to prescribed water efficiency requirements in subsection (7) does not include the requirement so waived as from and including the date on which the waiver takes effect; and
(b)
where the prescribed water efficiency requirements applicable to a new facility are modified by the Board under subsection (8), the reference to prescribed water efficiency requirements in subsection (7) is a reference to the requirements so modified as from and including the date on which the modification takes effect.
(10) A person who fails to comply with subsection (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $40,000.
(11) Regulations made under section 72 in connection with any annual water use, prescribed threshold or prescribed water efficiency requirements for the purposes of this section may make different prescriptions for —(a)
different industries; and
(b)
different types or descriptions of new facilities, or new facilities differently situated.
(12) In this section —“building works” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Building Control Act 1989;
“new facility” means a building or structure —(a)
for which an application is made on or after 1 January 2024 —(i)
for planning permission under the Planning Act 1998; or
(ii)
for approval of plans for building works under the Building Control Act 1989; and
(b)
which is for the purpose of carrying on —(i)
a new specified business activity of a person; or
(ii)
an expansion of any existing specified business activity of a person;
“projected water balance chart”, in relation to a new facility, means a chart showing all of the following when the new facility is operating at its designed capacity:(a)
the projected amount of water entering the new facility;
(b)
the projected amount of water being used for the activity or every activity (as the case may be) of the specified business activity that involves the use of water;
(c)
the projected amount of water leaving the new facility;
“specified business activity” means an activity, or a series of activities (including ancillary activities), that involves the use of water in the course of business operations;
“water efficiency requirements” includes requirements for the recycling of used water.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.
