Based on a new international water quality guideline by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pasir Ris Beach has been identified as one where swimming would not be recommended. However, activities like canoeing and kayaking can continue. The beach scored a fair grading because it contains an abnormal level of a type of bacteria traditionally found in human faeces and warm-blooded animals.
And for the first time, advisory signages against swimming have been erected along the 3.3-kilometre beach. They point to the high level of bacteria in the water, which could cause illnesses affecting the stomach, and eyes, like conjunctivitis. Nevertheless, the NEA said that the water quality has not deteriorated, but because the standards have become more stringent, and it is just a question of not being to meet the higher grade. Among the other five beaches, Sentosa Island scored a "Very Good" grading, while East Coast Park and Changi were rated "Good". Beaches at Seletar Island, Sembawang Park also got a "Good" rating. The six fresh water reservoirs in Singapore like Bedok, MacRitchie and Lower Seletar reservoirs all meet the new WHO guidelines. In addition, they are not affected by the new standards because swimming is not allowed in the reservoirs in the first place. Only activities like wakeboarding, skiiing and dragon boating are permitted.
Authorities will conduct annual reviews on the quality of the water at the six recreational beaches and reservoirs. Compared to other beaches in the Eastern part of Singapore like Changi or East Coast, Pasir Ris Beach is not as popular among Singaporeans. Those who frequent the Pasir Ris beach said that over the weekends, fewer than 50 people would be swimming inside these waters. The National Environment Agency, which monitors the water quality on a weekly basis, will take necessary actions for Pasir Ris Beach after a year-long study. The new WHO water quality guidelines apply to all water bodies which are open for recreational use. [End of report]
There is nothing surprising about this news to be honest because if you ask me, the water quality at majority of the beaches here is pretty bad. You see litters all over the place and the colour of the water is disgusting. Im talking about places such as the East Coast and Changi Beach even though they were rated as "Good". It is also no surprise to me that Sentosa Island received a "Very Good" grade. I think one possible reason could be that Sentosa Island is not a place that is frequently visited as compared to East Coast or Changi. Sentosa is also one of our main tourist attraction, so that is probably why it looks much better. I think that the new guideline by the WHO is great because we people tend to not taking such things seriously and by introducing a more stringent system, we will try to be more careful in ensuring that our water quality will remain in a good level. I just find it interesting that the Pasir Ris Beach has been given a lower grade than more popular beaches such as East Coast Beach because I whenever I went to Pasir Ris Beach, I rarely see a lot of people. So logically speaking, it should be the more popular beaches that should be doing much worse but it is the other way round this time.
I dont usually go to the beach because I think it is a waste of time but even if I decides to go, I will never swim in the sea despite East Coast, which is my preferred choice of beach, got a "Good" grade or to swim anywhere else for that matter apart from Sentosa of course. It's not that I have not swim at East Coast or anywhere else before, I have done that in the past but now, I try not to swim because of the condition of the water even if it receives the "Very Good" grade in the future, unless the quality of the water looks exactly the same as the one in Sentosa, which I think will never happen. I will go to the swimming complex if I want to swim because it is much safer and cleaner. I know the fact that there are some disgusting people who will do their 'business' under the water because they are lazy to go to the toilets, but I think it beats having to swim in the sea which is dirtier. I believe this news is a wake-up call to the authorities here that more needs to be done to improve the water quality here especially at the beaches where are frequently visited by the public. We should try and improve the "Good" grade to "Very Good" so that we know that it is safe for us to swim.
So remember, the next time you go down to Pasir Ris Beach, remember not to swim because of the hazards the water posed. There are other safer places to swim such as the Changi and East Coast beach. The view is also much nicer there too. I would love to hear from you regarding this issue. What do you think about the water quality at the beaches here? Do you think more needs to be done and if so, who should take most of the responsibility, the public or the respective authorities? Share with me.
*The report was taken from ChannelNewsAsia.
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