SINGAPORE – The National Environment Agency (NEA) has advised beachgoers against swimming at Pasir Ris Beach and Sembawang Park Beach due to the waters’ elevated levels of Enterococcus bacteria, which when ingested increase the risk of gastrointestinal infection.
Other primary contact water activities such as wakeboarding, windsurfing and water immersion training should also be avoided for the same reason. This is because a person’s whole body or face and trunk are frequently immersed during these activities, and it is likely that some water will be swallowed.
However, sailing, kayaking and canoeing can continue, said the agency on Feb 5.
Signs advising the public against swimming will be put up at the two locations.
The authorities routinely check the waters of seven popular recreational beaches in Singapore.
Each year, the beaches are graded based on World Health Organisation guidelines. The grading takes into account the incidences of elevated Enterococcus bacteria count in the beach water samples over the past three years.
Such bacteria are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Epidemiological data has suggested correlations between the Enterococcus level in recreational water and the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
NEA said Pasir Ris Beach and Sembawang Park Beach waters were graded “fair” in the latest annual beach grading exercise, dropping from “good” in 2023. Preliminary investigations showed that the elevated bacteria levels are from inland sources and are not transboundary in nature.
NEA is working with other agencies such as national water agency PUB, the National Parks Board and the Singapore Food Agency to investigate and mitigate possible sources contributing to the elevated bacteria levels.
The other five beaches – East Coast Park, Changi, Punggol, Seletar Island and Sentosa Island – have maintained a “good” grade and are suitable for all water activities. In 2023, all recreational beaches here were graded “good”.
“However, as there could be occasions when the Enterococcus count in the beach water is elevated, visitors should refer to the Beach Short-term Water Quality Information on the NEA website or the myENV app if they intend to engage in water activities,” said NEA.
Enterococcus bacteria are commonly used as an indicator of environmental contamination. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the bacteria’s presence indicates that other disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa may also be present.
The last beach advisory was issued for Pasir Ris Beach between August 2008 and January 2012. The advisory was lifted after the authorities identified what caused the high levels of bacteria in the waters and introduced measures to reduce the count.
Back then, the poorer water quality was linked to sources including minor leakage from old sewers, discharges from moored vessels and discharges from small-scale sewage treatment plants.
Weak water currents in the concave part of Pasir Ris Beach were not effective in diluting and dispersing the discharge. PUB had to extend the sewer network, divert used water and upgrade some ageing sewers.
