'Unusually low' water level at Yishun pond led to fish deaths, says HDB
HDB is looking into the cause of the "significant drop" in water level at the pond that was previously part of ORTO leisure park.
Fish in the pond that was once part of ORTO leisure park in Yishun are seen struggling for air, in this screengrab of the video posted on Facebook on Feb 4, 2024. (Image: Facebook/Don Goh)
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SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has cleared the dead fish in a pond that was previously part of ORTO leisure park in Yishun.
A video that was posted on Facebook on Sunday (Feb 4) showed fish struggling for air, with a number of dead ones floating on the surface of the pond.
In response to CNA queries, HDB said on Thursday that it was made aware of "unusually low water level" at the pond last Friday, resulting "in the death of some fish".
"We have since removed the dead fish and have started moving the remaining live fish to a smaller holding pond at the same site," it added.
The ground previously occupied by ORTO leisure park was taken over by HDB for soil investigation and survey works last July. The site at 81 Lorong Chencharu sits in an area zoned for residential use.
"Since then, HDB has been maintaining the site, including the pond and its fish, which have been retained to prevent mosquito breeding pending the commencement of site clearance and earthworks in 1Q2024," it said.
As part of site maintenance, HDB added its contractor would "fill up the pond whenever the water level in the pond fell below the usual level" and this is typically done every two days.
"SIGNIFICANT DROP" IN WATER LEVEL
The pond's water level was observed to be at its "usual" mark on Jan 31.
The "significant drop" two days later was the first time this happened, HDB said, adding that it is looking into the cause.
NO DISCERNIBLE SMELL
When CNA visited the site on Thursday, there were no dead fish or black rubbish bags along the pond's bank, but the water level was observed to be low.
Only when a strong breeze was present could a faint foul smell be detected along the bus stop nearest to the pond.
The Straits Times reported a foul smell in the area due to the dead fish after visiting the site on Monday, while more than 20 black plastic bags - believed to contain the carcasses - were seen the following day.
Members of the public told CNA on Thursday that they did not notice any discernible smell in the area.
A maid in her 40s, who declined to be named, said she would usually take a bus from the stop nearest to the pond about once or twice per week.
"I don't really smell it," she said, adding that she did not notice an unpleasant odour in the past few days.
Two men who volunteer at a nearby non-profit organisation also said they did not detect any malodour.
"I walk past this walkway (multiple times) every single day, but even then I've not picked up any foul smell," Mr Ho, 76, said in Mandarin, referring to the path adjacent to the pond.
"I think people are exaggerating the foul smell," Mr Ng, also 76, said.
He added that he used to see otters catch fish near the pond when it was still accessible and that it was a waste to see some of the fish die.
"They should have allowed people to catch fish for free (when the site closed)," Mr Ng said.
