People advised not to swim at Pasir Ris, Sembawang beaches over concerns of elevated bacteria levels

SINGAPORE: People are advised against swimming at Pasir Ris Beach and Sembawang Park Beach until further notice due to more frequent readings of elevated bacteria levels in the water, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday (Feb 5).

The agency also advised against engaging in other "primary contact water activities" – such as wakeboarding, windsurfing and water immersion training – at the two beaches.

"Other water activities, such as sailing, kayaking and canoeing can continue as normal," said NEA.

Primary contact activities refer to activities where a person’s whole body or face and trunk are frequently immersed and it is likely that some water will be swallowed, the agency added.

In the latest annual beach assessment, Sembawang Park and Pasir Ris beaches were graded Fair, dropping from Good in the previous year.

There have been more frequent readings of elevated Enterococcus (EC) bacteria in the water, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal infection when the water is ingested.

EC is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans. 

Signs advising people not to swim at both beaches will be put up.

The agency said that its preliminary investigations found that the elevated bacteria levels are from inland sources and are not transboundary in nature. 

“NEA is working with other agencies such as PUB, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to investigate and mitigate possible sources contributing to the elevated EC bacteria,” it added.

CNA has contacted NEA for more information about the sources of pollution and if any action is being taken to stop or reduce these sources of pollution.

Besides Pasir Ris and Sembawang Park beaches, the other five beaches – East Coast, Changi, Punggol, Seletar Island and Sentosa – have maintained a Good grade and are suitable for all water activities.

WEEKLY TESTS

The last time a beach advisory was issued was from August 2008 to January 2012 for Pasir Ris Beach, when its rating was Fair. Primary contact activities resumed in February 2012 after its rating rose to Good.

NEA conducts weekly water sampling at seven popular recreational beaches in Singapore.

At the start of each year, these beaches are graded based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recreational water quality guidelines. 

The grading takes into account the incidences of elevated EC bacteria count in the beach water samples over the past three years.

Beaches with EC bacteria levels greater than 200cfu/100ml for more than 5 per cent of their samples over a three-year period are graded Fair. Those with higher EC levels are graded Poor or Very Poor. 

NEA warned that there could be occasions when the EC count in the water of these beaches is elevated.

Beachgoers are encouraged to refer to the Beach Short-term Water Quality Information (BSWI) on the NEA website or the myENV app if they intend to engage in water activities, said the agency.