Overview

SINGAPORE: Chaos erupted in Clementi on Monday (Nov 25) as residents and businesses faced a severe water supply disruption following a burst pipe overnight, causing significant inconvenience.

Incident Details

The incident transpired beside Block 324 Clementi Avenue 5, leading to flooding at the ground level. According to the Public Utilities Board (PUB), the burst concerned a 150mm-diameter water main, which is thought to have been affected by work related to a nearby construction site.

Approximately 70 households on the lower floors of Blocks 324 and 325, along with businesses on the ground level, have been left without water supply. PUB was alerted to the situation around 1:30 a.m. and promptly dispatched crews to isolate the leak and initiate repair efforts.

Temporary Measures

To alleviate the distress experienced by residents and business owners, PUB deployed a water wagon to provide a temporary water supply. The agency reassured residents that they expect the water supply to be completely restored by the end of the day while an investigation into the root cause of the leak is underway.

Community Response

Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC Tan Wu Meng visited the site on Monday morning to assess the situation. He indicated that the Land Transport Authority and Jurong-Clementi Town Council are also providing assistance to those affected. Mr. Tan urged residents to reach out for help if needed, sharing contact information for the Clementi community center.

Resident Reactions

As videos circulated showing murky water flooding the walkways around the block, residents expressed frustration and concern. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that they alerted the essential maintenance service unit via hotline at around 1:15 a.m., only to find that many were unaware of the situation due to the late hour.

People were seen collecting 5-litre bags of PUB drinking water at the void deck as they coped with the disruption. A resident from Block 324 recounted the moment they discovered water had vanished from their taps not long after midnight when they attempted to wash something—a frustrating situation indeed.

Impact on Businesses

Block 325 wasn’t spared either; stalls at the local coffee shop struggled to operate amid the water shortage. Mr. Ma Jian Jun, who runs a noodle stall, explained that his water supply had been cut since Monday morning, prompting him to use the water provided by PUB trucks for his cooking.

He noted the disruption's impact on his business, forced to serve items in disposable containers and abandoning takeaway orders. "It’s not ideal," he lamented, "but there’s nothing we can do."

Shops such as the Hair Fax salon had to limit services as well. The owner expressed concerns about potential compensation for the loss of business due to the disrupted water supply, although they understood the situation was out of anyone's control.

Support for Residents

Helpers were stationed around Blocks 324 and 325, assisting residents in collecting the necessary water supplies. As workers offered support at the void deck, residents had the option to fill their own buckets from the water truck or take pre-packaged bags of drinking water to manage through the crisis.

Conclusion

The situation serves as a harsh reminder of the fragility of utility services and how quickly disruptions can escalate into broader challenges for the community. Residents are hopeful for a swift resolution as they await the restoration of their water supply. As the investigation continues, many are left wondering: how can such vital infrastructure become so vulnerable?