More than 1,200 enforcement actions taken for S'pore public toilet lapses in 2024: NEA & PHC

More than 1,200 enforcement actions were taken for public toilet lapses in 2024, said National Environment Agency (NEA) and Public Hygiene Council (PHC) in a joint press release on Nov. 21.

From Jan. 1 to Nov. 15, 2024, 1,253 enforcement actions were taken against premises owners, across all premises types, including transport nodes and retail food establishments.

This is three times more than the 367 enforcement actions taken in the same period last year.

The increase in enforcement comes after 2024 was designated as the Year of Public Hygiene by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, which places a "strong emphasis on shared responsibility to uphold high standards of public hygiene and cleanliness" in Singapore.

Cleaner Public Toilets Campaign 2024

The Cleaner Public Toilets Campaign 2024 was also launched by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, Baey Yam Keng, at Senja Hawker Centre on Nov. 21.

This year’s campaign tagline, “Everyone wins when our toilets are clean”, marks a progression from last year’s focus on individual awareness towards a call for collective action, NEA and PHC said.

Co-organised by NEA and PHC, the campaign is also supported by other partners, including the Restroom Association (Singapore) (RAS), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM), to promote the responsible use of public toilets.

The campaign will also reach out to various segments of the community through partnerships with local stakeholders, such as grassroots organisations, non-governmental organisations, social service agencies, and schools, to publicise campaign messages and educate them about conscientious public toilet use.

Senja Hawker toilets

The launch of the campaign was held at Senja Hawker Centre, which has toilets that have been awarded a five-star rating under the "Happy Toilet Programme" by the Restroom Association (Singapore) since January 2023.

Kopitiam, the operator of the hawker centre, has established a cleaning and maintenance regime to keep toilets clean and ensure that there is adequate toilet amenities provided, the press release said.

Cleaning is carried out three times daily while deep cleaning of the toilets is conducted every three months, using high-pressure jets to thoroughly clean floors, drains, urinals, and cubicles.

Some notable features include its anti-bacterial, anti-odour, and stain resistant polyurethane tiles that have helped to minimised cleaning efforts.

They also have a rimless anti-stain flushing water closet with a whirlwash vortex flushing system, which prevents the build-up of dirt or stains.

In comments to reporters, Baey said: "So, enforcement is important and it is what the government can do, but that's really the last resort. We hope that operators will do their part because they will stand to benefit from it."

"Of course, if the customers can enjoy clean toilets, they will also come here more often, and [there will be] more business for the stores here, so everybody benefits," he added.

Stepped up enforcement on public toilet cleanliness by NEA and SFA

Since the beginning of 2024, NEA and SFA have stepped up enforcement on public toilet cleanliness and ensured that operators take responsibility and properly maintain their toilets, the press release stated.

From Jan. 1 to Nov. 15, 2024, 1,253 enforcement actions were taken against premises owners, across all premises types, including transport nodes and retail food establishments.

This is three times more than the 367 enforcement actions taken in the same period last year.

SFA also suspended 10 coffeeshops for toilet-related (and other food safety) offences under the Points Demerit System, compared to suspension of one coffeeshop each in 2022 and 2023.

For failure to provide basic amenities, such as soap or toilet paper, or to keep toilets clean, owners or operators of public toilets can be fined up to S$500.

Under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987, for lapses such as insufficient basic amenities and unclean toilets, the maximum fine on first conviction is between S$1,000 and S$5,000, depending on the nature of the lapse.

Ground up initiatives by PHC

Initiatives by PHC include it Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group (NTCG) programme – a collaboration between operators, community volunteers and users, to reinforce the message of collective responsibility in keeping public toilets clean.

PHC also piloted a toilet cleanliness module as part of the Buddy Clean Workshop, to help primary school students understand the importance of keeping toilets clean.

Keeping public toilets clean calls for social responsibility

"Maintaining the cleanliness of our public spaces, including public toilets, is a collective responsibility that benefits everyone," said NEA and PHC.

Users are advised to adopt a "conscientious attitude" by practising the four key actions:

• Keep toilet seats clean,
• Flush toilets fully,
• Keep the floor dry, and
• Bin litter properly

"When we all play our part, we elevate the standards of our public spaces, ensuring that everyone enjoys the comfort of clean toilets. Remember, everyone wins when our toilets are clean."

Top photos by Chan Seng/Mothership