Water quality at Pasir Ris Beach has improved and is now safe for primary contact activities. Swimming and other primary contact activities continue to be discouraged at Sembawang Park Beach.

Singapore, 24 January 2025 – Six out of seven recreational beaches have been graded “Good” in the latest beach grading exercise and are suitable for all water activities. This includes Pasir Ris Beach, which was graded “Fair” in Feb 2024. Sembawang Park Beach, continues to be graded “Fair” even though its water quality has improved from last year.

Advisory on swimming and primary contact sports

2               The recreational beaches are graded based on World Health Organization (WHO) recreational water quality guidelines. The grading takes into account the incidences of elevated Enterococcus (EC) bacteria count in the beach water samples [1] which increases the risk of gastrointestinal infection when the water is ingested.

3               With the latest beach grading results, the advisory discouraging swimming and other primary contact activities [2] at Pasir Ris Beach is lifted. The advisory discouraging swimming and other primary contact activities will remain for Sembawang Park Beach. Non-primary contact water activities, such as sailing, kayaking and canoeing can continue as normal at Sembawang Beach.

4               As there could be occasions when the EC level at beaches are elevated, we encourage beachgoers to refer to the weekly Beach Short-term Water Quality Information (BSWI) on the NEA website or the myENV app before engaging in water activities.

Sources of Elevated EC Bacteria

5               Findings suggest that the earlier elevated EC levels at Pasir Ris and Sembawang Beach might have originated from multiple sources, including bin centres, food establishments and construction sites, where improper hygiene practices such as pouring of water containing waste materials into the drains could have impacted the water quality in our waterways.

6                Respective Government agencies have been working with stakeholders to ensure proper housekeeping and waste management measures to minimise EC in our waterways, for example by ensuring the proper discharge of wastewater and washing water into sewers within the premises. Agencies have stepped up inspections at these premises and will take enforcement actions against any errant practices. The next grading of Singapore’s recreational beaches will be in July 2025.