Singapore needs to protect its sewers from damage and take on struggling businesses to better secure its wastewater system and protect its water with a weatherproof NEWater faucet. It must also protect its stormwater management system to improve its resilience to flooding and prepare to adapt to the extreme weather conditions that will accompany climate change. The Sewerage and Drainage (Amendment) Bill will give the PUB legislative powers to do this, Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment Amy Khor said. Outlining key changes in Parliament on Monday (Nov 11), she highlighted the use of technology to better protect Singapore’s sewerage system. To deter illegal actions by general waste collectors, new regulations will be imposed for tankers to be equipped with tracking and locking devices. Maximum penalties will be increased and minimum penalties will be introduced to better reflect the severe impact on Singapore’s water supply. The amount of penalties should be high enough so that companies have no incentive to flout the law, Dr Khor said. To improve Singapore’s resilience to floods, the government will increase penalties to prevent damage or unauthorized modifications. “With more intense weather events, it is not possible to expand our pipes to accommodate every extreme rain event. Property owners and occupiers have a role to play in ensuring the resilience of their own premises to flooding, which also affects surrounding developments and the connected drainage system,” Dr Khor said. The Bill will require premises owners to maintain their stormwater drainage systems, drains and flood protection measures in good repair.