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SINGAPORE – Those who want to take a dip at the beach can now check whether the seawater quality is safe before visiting.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) now provides weekly seawater quality assessments at nine Singapore beaches, along with an advisory, based on levels of enterococci bacteria measured in the water.
Enterococcus is a harmful bacteria found in the feces of animals and humans.
Data on beach water quality had been released annually since 2009, but this practice has been intensified to allow bathers to have more up-to-date information to safeguard their health, the NEA said in a statement Wednesday (October 7). .
The nine beaches are Sentosa’s Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach, Seletar Island Beach, Sembawang Park Beach, Changi Beach, East Coast Park Beach, Pasir Ris Beach, and Punggol Beach.
There are three bands that are used to measure the amount of bacteria in water: normal, high, and high. If the bacteria level is normal, it is safe to enter the water and bathers can continue their water activities.
When bacteria levels are elevated, children, the elderly, and people with weaker immune systems are advised to reduce primary contact activities that could increase the risk of gastrointestinal or respiratory diseases.
These are activities in which the entire body, or the face and trunk, are frequently submerged in water and some water is likely to be swallowed. Examples of primary contact activities include swimming, skiing, wakeboarding, and diving.
When bacteria levels are high, NEA advises all bathers to minimize primary contact activities.
As a general guide, people are advised to avoid water immediately after a heavy rain and to refrain from water activities when they have open sores or skin infections, or when they feel unwell.
The NEA added that members of the public should not be unduly concerned if bacteria levels on certain stretches of the beach are elevated or elevated during a particular week. This is because bacteria levels are transient in nature, as beach water is “continually rinsed and mixed by currents.”
When bacteria levels are in the high range, the NEA will closely monitor water quality and conduct investigations to identify potential sources of contamination.
Kayak guide Sim Cher Huey, 45, said these weekly updates will help you plan ahead when taking young children or the elderly on kayak trips.
“It is important that these readings are published so that we can protect those with weaker immune systems,” he said.
People can check the water quality of the beaches on the NEA website or through the myENV mobile app.
Additionally, starting October 17, those who want to visit Sentosa’s beaches during peak periods, including weekends and holidays, will need to make reservations first.
Guests can pre-book their tickets up to seven days before planned visits, subject to capacity limits. For its initial implementation, the reservation system will begin accepting reservations from October 10, for visits from October 17.
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