Maintenance of water service installation
Open ↗45.—(1) Any person responsible for the maintenance of any water service installation must ensure that the water service installation is properly maintained, kept in a fit and safe condition, and free from any defect.
(2) Any person responsible for the maintenance of any water service installation in any residential, commercial or industrial premises having any storage tank must, whenever the Board so requires, engage a professional engineer to inspect and certify that —(a)
the water service installation is fit and safe to use;
(b)
the water service installation is properly maintained and there is no contamination or pollution or likelihood of any contamination or pollution to the water in the water service installation; and
(c)
there is no leakage and no likelihood of leakage in the water service installation.[9/2012; 11/2018; 13/2020]
(3) Every professional engineer engaged under subsection (2) must ensure that the requirements set out in that subsection are complied with.
(4) If any of the requirements set out in subsection (2) is not complied with, the professional engineer must immediately notify —(a)
the person responsible for the maintenance of the water service installation; and
(b)
the Board,
of the non-compliance and the remedial measures that have to be taken by that person.
(5) Upon notification by the professional engineer, the person mentioned in subsection (4)(a) must immediately take the remedial measures.
(6) The professional engineer must issue a certificate of inspection and fitness to the person responsible for the maintenance of the water service installation if the professional engineer is satisfied that the water service installation complies with all the requirements set out in subsection (2).
(7) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(8) Regulations made under section 72 may specify —(a)
the persons responsible for the matters mentioned in subsections (1) and (2); and
(b)
additional responsibilities of any person responsible in relation to a water service installation, or any part of the water service installation.[11/2018]
Security of water service installation having certain storage tank
Open ↗45A.—(1) A person responsible for the security of a water service installation having a storage tank from which piped water suitable for drinking (excluding NEWater) is drawn must ensure that —(a)
the storage tank (including any tap fitted to the storage tank) and its appurtenances; and
(b)
the premises where the storage tank and its appurtenances are located,
are secured against unauthorised access and tampering.
[13/2020]
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a person (A) responsible for the security of a water service installation having a storage tank from which piped water suitable for drinking (excluding NEWater) is drawn must ensure that —(a)
no person, except with A’s authority, has access to —(i)
the storage tank (including any tap fitted to the storage tank) and its appurtenances; or
(ii)
the premises where the storage tank and its appurtenances are located;
(b)
the storage tank (including any tap fitted to the storage tank) and its appurtenances, and the premises where the storage tank and its appurtenances are located, are kept properly locked at all times;
(c)
checks are conducted regularly for the purpose of ascertaining whether paragraph (b) is being complied with;
(d)
proper records are kept of —(i)
persons granted access to the storage tank (including any tap fitted to the storage tank) and its appurtenances, or the premises where the storage tank and its appurtenances are located; and
(ii)
checks conducted under paragraph (c),
and that those records are made available for inspection by an authorised officer; and
(e)
the Board is notified without delay of any unauthorised access to the storage tank (including any tap fitted to the storage tank) or its appurtenances which comes to A’s knowledge.[13/2020]
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person responsible for the security of a water service installation having any storage tank in residential premises which do not take their water supply through a master meter.[13/2020]
(4) A person must not, except with the express permission of the person responsible for the security of a water service installation having a storage tank from which piped water suitable for drinking (excluding NEWater) is drawn —(a)
enter the premises where the storage tank and its appurtenances are located; or
(b)
open or operate the storage tank or its appurtenances.[13/2020]
(5) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.[13/2020]
(6) In this section —“appurtenances”, in relation to a storage tank, means any equipment attached or linked to the storage tank that is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the storage tank;
“NEWater” means NEWater supplied through the water reticulation system of the Board to persons who have entered into an agreement with the Board for the supply of NEWater.[13/2020]
(7) Regulations made under section 72 may specify the person or persons responsible for the security of a water service installation having a storage tank.[13/2020]
Duties of person laying pipes
Open ↗46.—(1) Any person who lays any pipe in the vicinity of another pipe must, if one of the pipes is or is to be used to convey water suitable for drinking and the other pipe is or is to be used to convey water for any other purpose, or any other substance or thing, clearly mark the pipes so that they can be distinguished from each other.[11/2018]
(2) A person who lays, repairs, modifies or replaces any pipe in the vicinity of another pipe must, if one of the pipes is or is to be used to convey water suitable for drinking and the other pipe is or is to be used to convey water for any other purpose, or to convey any other substance or thing, ensure that the pipes do not become connected or cross-connected to each other.[11/2018]
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence.
Damage to property of Board
Open ↗47.—(1) Any person who, whether wilfully or otherwise —(a)
removes, destroys or damages any property belonging to or under the management or control of the Board; or
(b)
hinders or prevents the property from being used or operated in the manner in which it is intended to be used or operated,
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 3 years or to both.
[9/2012]
(2) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it is a defence for the person charged under that subsection to prove that the person took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence, but this defence is not available to any person who may be liable by virtue of section 56A.[9/2012]
(3) If it appears to the Board that there has been a contravention of subsection (1), the Board may, by written notice, require any person who has done any of the acts referred to in that subsection or any other person who may be liable under that subsection by virtue of section 56A (called in this section the person in default) to carry out such works as may be necessary to restore the property to its original condition, or to replace it, within the time specified in the notice.[9/2012]
(3A) All costs and expenses incurred by a person in complying with the notice mentioned in subsection (3) must be borne by the person.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(4) If the Board is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary or expedient or that the property cannot be restored by the person in default, the Board may, instead of issuing the notice under subsection (3) —(a)
carry out such works as are necessary to restore the property to its original condition, or replace the property; and
(b)
recover as a debt due to it all expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from the person in default.[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(5) If the person to whom a notice is given under subsection (3) fails to comply with the notice within the time specified, the Board may carry out the works specified in the notice in such manner as it thinks fit and recover as a debt due to it all expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from the person in default.[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(6) Without affecting the Board’s right to exercise its powers under subsection (5), any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice given to the person under subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence.[9/2012]
(7) Nothing in this section prohibits the Board from carrying out any works specified in a notice under subsection (3) at the request of a person on whom the notice has been served, upon the person undertaking to pay the Board’s costs and expenses in carrying out the works.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(8) Nothing in subsection (7) imposes on the Board, directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to carry out the works mentioned in that subsection.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
Damage to water mains and installations, etc.
Open ↗47A.—(1) Any person who, whether wilfully or otherwise, removes, destroys or damages or causes or permits to be removed, destroyed or damaged, any water main or connecting pipe belonging to or under the management or control of the Board shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —(a)
to a fine not exceeding $40,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; or
(b)
if the water main or connecting pipe is 300 mm or more in diameter, to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.[9/2012; 11/2018]
(2) Any person who, whether wilfully or otherwise, removes, destroys or damages or causes or permits to be removed, destroyed or damaged any part of —(a)
an installation or water installation which supplies water to the Board; or
(b)
an installation or water installation belonging to or under the management or control of the Board,
and thereby interferes with the production or supply of water by that installation or water installation, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
[9/2012]
(3) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) or (2), it is a defence for the person charged under either of those subsections to prove that the person took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence, but this defence is not available to any person who may be liable by virtue of section 56A.[9/2012]
(4) If it appears to the Board that there has been a contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the Board may, by written notice, require any person who has done any of the acts referred to in subsection (1) or (2) or any other person who may be liable under either of those subsections by virtue of section 56A (called in this section the person in default) to carry out such works as may be necessary to restore the water main, connecting pipe, installation or water installation to its original condition, or to replace it, within the time specified in the notice.[9/2012; 11/2018]
(4A) All costs and expenses incurred by a person in complying with the notice mentioned in subsection (4) must be borne by the person.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(5) If the Board is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary or expedient or that the water main, connecting pipe, installation or water installation cannot be restored by the person in default, the Board may, instead of issuing the notice under subsection (4) —(a)
carry out such works as are necessary to restore the water main, connecting pipe, installation or water installation to its original condition, or replace it; and
(b)
recover as a debt due to it all expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from the person in default.[9/2012; 11/2018]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(6) If the person to whom a notice is given under subsection (4) fails to comply with the notice within the time specified, the Board may carry out the works specified in the notice in such manner as it thinks fit and recover as a debt due to it all expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from the person in default.[9/2012]
[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(7) Without affecting the Board’s right to exercise its powers under subsection (6), any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice given to the person under subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence.[9/2012]
(7A) Nothing in this section prohibits the Board from carrying out any works specified in a notice under subsection (4) at the request of a person on whom the notice has been served, upon the person undertaking to pay the Board’s costs and expenses in carrying out the works.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(7B) Nothing in subsection (7A) imposes on the Board, directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to carry out the works mentioned in that subsection.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(8) In this section, a reference to a “water main” or “connecting pipe” includes, for a water main or connecting pipe situated beneath the seabed, any protective armour or casing surrounding the water main or connecting pipe.[11/2018]
Compensation for damaging property of Board
Open ↗48.—(1) Any person who removes, destroys or damages, whether wilfully or otherwise, any property belonging to the Board or hinders or prevents the property from being used or operated in the manner in which it is intended to be used or operated must, in addition to any penalty for which the person is liable for an offence under this Act, be liable to pay compensation for the damage the person has done and the compensation is recoverable by civil action.[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(2) Any court before which a person is charged with an offence under this Act may assess the compensation payable under this section and may make an order for payment of the same.
(3) Any order made under subsection (2) may be enforced as if it were a judgment in a civil action.
Falsely pretending to be employee of Board
Open ↗49. Any person who seeks to obtain entry to any premises by falsely pretending to be an employee of the Board shall be guilty of an offence.
Unauthorised connection with main, contamination, wastage, etc.
Open ↗50.—(1) Any person who —(a)
lays or causes to be laid any pipe or line to communicate with any main, pipe, standpipe, hydrant or line belonging to or under the management or control of the Board without the consent of the Board;
(b)
wastes any water;
(c)
causes contamination to water supplied by the Board; or
(d)
whether wilfully or otherwise, does any act which interferes with or disrupts the supply of the water of the Board,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
[9/2012]
(2) Any person who —(a)
dishonestly or fraudulently abstracts or uses, or dishonestly or fraudulently diverts or causes to be diverted, any water supplied by the Board;[Act 27 of 2023 wef 01/01/2024]
(b)
without the written consent of the Board, supplies for consideration any other person with any water supplied to the firstmentioned person for any purpose by the Board;
(c)
without the consent of the Board, interferes with, interrupts or obstructs the operation of any meter supplied by the Board; or
(d)
alters or tampers with any meter supplied by the Board,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $2,500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
[13/2020]
(3) Where a person is prosecuted for an offence under subsection (2)(c) in respect of an AMI meter, the installation, placement or erection by the person of any device, structure or object that is designed or is capable of being used to interfere with, interrupt or obstruct the electromagnetic function of an AMI meter, when the AMI meter is in the custody or under the control of the person, is prima facie evidence that the person has interfered with, interrupted or obstructed the operation of the AMI meter.[13/2020]
(4) Where any person is prosecuted for an offence under subsection (2)(d) —(a)
the possession by the person of any device for altering the index of any meter or for preventing any meter from duly registering the quantity of water supplied by the Board;
(b)
the existence of any hole on the meter cover of any meter supplied by the Board; or
(c)
the existence of any damage to the seal of any meter,
when the meter is in the custody or under the control of the person, is prima facie evidence that the person has altered or tampered with the meter.
(5) Without limiting subsection (4), where a person is prosecuted for an offence under subsection (2)(d) in respect of an AMI meter —(a)
the existence of a cut in the wires leading to or within the AMI meter;
(b)
the disconnection of wires leading to or within the AMI meter that were connected at the time the AMI meter was supplied;
(c)
the existence of a hole in the body of an AMI meter which did not exist at the time that the AMI meter was supplied; or
(d)
the removal, modification or displacement of, or damage to, any seal, screw, component or mechanism of the AMI meter,
when the AMI meter is in the custody or under the control of the person, is also prima facie evidence that the person has altered or tampered with the meter.
[13/2020]
(6) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) or (2)(b) or (d), it is a defence for the person charged under any of those provisions (but not by virtue of section 56A) to prove that the person took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.[9/2012]
Penalty for obstructing Board in its duty
Open ↗51. Any person who —(a)
hinders or obstructs the Board, any employee, agent or contractor of the Board, any authorised officer or other person authorised by the Board in the performance or execution of its, his or her duty, or of anything which it, he or she is empowered or required to do, under this Act; or
(b)
interferes with any work authorised to be done under this Act,
shall be guilty of an offence.
[9/2012]
Making of false statements, etc.
Open ↗52.—(1) Any person who, when giving any information to the Board or making any application under or for the purposes of any provision of this Act, makes any statement which the person knows to be false in a material particular, or who recklessly makes any statement which is false in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) Any person who —(a)
wilfully or fraudulently procures or attempts to procure for himself, herself or itself or for any other person any licence or approval under this Act by making or producing or causing to be made or produced any false or fraudulent representation or declaration either verbally or in writing; or
(b)
knowingly aids or assists therein,
shall be guilty of an offence.
Certificate of Chief Executive to be evidence of certain facts
Open ↗53. In any proceedings for an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by the Chief Executive and stating that any person described in the certificate is or is not granted a licence or approval under this Act, is sufficient evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.
Jurisdiction of court
Open ↗54. Despite any provision to the contrary in the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, a District Court and a Magistrate’s Court have jurisdiction to try any offence under this Act and have power to impose the full penalty or punishment in respect of any offence under this Act.
Police officer, authorised officer or authorised person may require evidence of identity in certain cases
Open ↗55.—(1) Any police officer, authorised officer or such other person as may be authorised by the Board for the purposes of this section (called in this section an authorised person) who reasonably believes that any person has committed an offence under this Act may require that person to furnish evidence of his or her identity and the person must thereupon furnish such evidence of his or her identity as may be required by the police officer, authorised officer or authorised person, as the case may be.[9/2012]
(2) The occupier of any premises must, if required by any police officer, authorised officer or authorised person, furnish the occupier’s name and the name and address of the owner of the premises, if known.[9/2012]
(3) Any person who —(a)
refuses to furnish any information required of the person by any police officer, authorised officer or authorised person under this section; or
(b)
wilfully misstates such information,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
[9/2012]
Power to examine and secure attendance
Open ↗55A.—(1) An authorised officer may do all or any of the following:(a)
issue a written order requiring anyone within the limits of Singapore, who appears to be acquainted with any of the facts and circumstances of matters under this Act, to attend before him or her, and that person must attend as required;
(b)
examine orally any person who appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of matters under this Act —(i)
whether before or after that person or anyone else is charged with an offence in connection with the matter; and
(ii)
whether or not that person is to be called as a witness in any inquiry, trial, or other proceeding in connection with the matter;
(c)
require any person to furnish any information or produce any document or footage recorded by any video surveillance system in the possession of that person in connection with the matter, and may, without payment, inspect, keep, copy or make extracts from that document or footage.[9/2012]
[Act 38 of 2024 wef 01/03/2025]
(2) Any person examined under this section is bound to state truly what the person knows of the facts and circumstances concerning matters under this Act, except that the person need not say anything that might expose the person to a criminal charge, penalty or forfeiture.[9/2012]
(3) A statement made by any person examined under this section must —(a)
be reduced to writing;
(b)
be read over to the person;
(c)
if the person does not understand English, be interpreted for him or her in a language that the person understands; and
(d)
after correction, if necessary, be signed by the person.
(4) If any person fails to attend as required by an order under subsection (1), the Board may report the failure to a Magistrate who may then issue a warrant ordering the person to attend.[9/2012]
Power to enter and investigate
Open ↗55B.—(1) An authorised officer may, at any time without notice, enter any premises or board any vessel in any reservoir or waterway, and do all or any of the following for the specified purposes:(a)
search the premises or vessel and take possession of anything found in the premises or vessel;
(b)
require the production of, and take and retain extracts from or copies of, records, certificates, notices, documents and footage recorded by any video surveillance system (wherever and by whoever they are kept);[Act 38 of 2024 wef 01/03/2025]
(c)
take and retain samples of any materials (whether solid, liquid, gaseous or vapour) found for the purpose of analysis;
(d)
take any photographs or video recordings that the authorised officer thinks necessary;
(e)
require any individual whom the authorised officer finds in the premises or vessel to produce his or her identity card or other identification papers for inspection.[11/2018]
(2) In subsection (1), “specified purposes” means all or any of the following purposes:(a)
to ascertain whether the requirements imposed by or under this Act are complied with;
(b)
to investigate a suspected offence under this Act;
(c)
to investigate whether there is any circumstance that may result in the suspension or cancellation of a plumber’s licence.[11/2018]
Offences committed by bodies corporate, etc.
Open ↗56. Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, firm, society or other body of persons, and that offence is proved to have been committed with the authority, consent or connivance of any person who, at the time of the commission of the offence, was a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer or a partner of the company, firm, society or other body of persons or was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person shall also be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Liability for offence committed by agent or employee
Open ↗56A. Where an offence under this Act is committed by any person acting as an agent or employee of another person, or being otherwise subject to the supervision or instruction of another person for the purposes of any employment in the course of which the offence was committed, that other person shall, without affecting the liability of the firstmentioned person, be liable for that offence in the same manner and to the same extent as if that other person had personally committed the offence unless that other person proves to the satisfaction of the court that the offence was committed without the consent or connivance, and that it was not attributable to any neglect on the part, of that other person.[9/2012]
Duty to enquire before excavation
Open ↗57.—(1) Any person who digs, bores, trenches, grades, excavates, tunnels or breaks any ground with any mechanical equipment, tool or explosive, or allows the person’s employee or agent to do so, without first —(a)
obtaining from the Board the relevant plans or records to ascertain the location of any main or pipe belonging to or under the management or control of the Board that may be interfered with by such works;
(b)
carrying out trial trenches to physically ascertain the location of any such main or pipe that may be interfered with by such works; and
(c)
complying with any other requirements that the Board may specify to protect any such main or pipe within the vicinity of such works,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
[9/2012]
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(a), any person may, on payment of the prescribed fee, be permitted to inspect and take copies of the relevant plans or records maintained by or on behalf of the Board.[9/2012]
General penalties
Open ↗58. Any person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no penalty is expressly provided 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, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $250 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
Composition of offences
Open ↗59.—(1) The Board may —(a)
compound any offence under section 45A by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $10,000; and
(b)
compound any other offence under this Act that is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $3,000.[13/2020]
[Act 38 of 2024 wef 01/03/2025]
(2) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations to prescribe the offences which may be compounded.
(3) All sums collected under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.[11/2018]
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.
