Singapore's recreational water quality guidelines for recreational beaches and fresh water bodies are adopted from the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards (2003).

The National Environment Agency (NEA) had in August 2008 studied the WHO guidelines, collected data for the past few years and, in consultation with other organisations**, established Singapore's guidelines. The revised guidelines were based on the microbial indicator, enterococcus (a type of bacteria found in the faeces of human and warm blooded animals) which corresponds better with the health risks associated with the use of recreational beach water.

(** Note:- Ministry of Health, Public Utilities Board, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the National University of Singapore, the Nanyang Technological University).

Singapore's Water Quality Guidelines for Recreational Beaches and Fresh Water Bodies

The guidelines are used to assess the suitability of a recreational beach or fresh water body for primary contact activities (e.g. swimming, skiing and wakeboarding) where:

1. the whole body or the face and trunk are frequently immersed; or

2. It is likely that some water will be swallowed.

Activities such as canoeing, dragon boating, kayaking are not primary contact activities.

The parameters used to assess the water quality are as follows:

For recreational beaches:

1. 95% of the time, the Enterococcus counts should be less than or equals to 200 counts per 100ml of water;

2. Susceptibility of the location to faecal influence;
3. Only beaches classified as 'Good' and above will be considered suitable for primary contact activities.

For fresh water bodies:

95% of the time,

1. the Enterococcus counts should be less than or equals to 200 counts per 100ml of water; and

2. Chlorophyll- a's concentration should be less than or equals to 50 micrograms per litre of water.

Recreational Beaches

NEA conducts weekly sampling of water quality from the six (6) recreational beaches listed below:

• Sentosa Island Beaches (Siloso beach, Palawan beach, Tanjong beach)

• Seletar Island Beach
• Sembawang Park Beach
• Changi Beach
• East Coast Park Beach
• Pasir Ris Beach

Location of recreational beaches monitored for water quality

In 2008, five (Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park beaches) out of the six popular recreational beaches monitored by NEA were assessed to be suitable for primary contact activities as they were graded “Very Good” or “Good”. In 2008, Pasir Ris Beach was assessed to be unsuitable for primary contact activities. NEA had placed advisory signs (see below) along Pasir Ris beach to advise beach goers against swimming in the water since 1 August 2008.

The NEA has completed the annual water quality review of the six recreational beaches for 2009.  Under this review, the water quality of Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park beaches are again graded “Very Good” or “Good” and are suitable for primary contact activities. 

Pasir Ris beach continues to be unsuitable for primary contact activities and therefore, the public is advised to refrain from swimming at this beach until the next review in August 2010.

General Precautionary Measures for Beach Users

Beach waters, including those in Pasir Ris Beach, in Singapore are generally safe for activities like boating, canoeing and kayaking as there is lesser chance of the person to be immersed in water or swallow water.

In general, beach users are advised:

1. not to engage in water based recreational activities if they have open sores, skin infections or are unwell.

2. to avoid touching mouth/eyes with their hands which were in contact with sand/water.
3. to practise good personal hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly before eating or handling food.

For those who intend to engage in primary contact activities in beaches where swimming is not advised (e.g. Pasir Ris Beach), they do so at their own risk.

Fresh Water Bodies

For matters pertaining to water quality at reservoirs, please contact PUB at 1800 2846600 or PUBone@singnet.com.sg

NEA and PUB will continue to regularly monitor the water quality at the six recreational beaches and designated reservoirs respectively. Data collected will be used in the yearly review of the status of these sites.