Grace Fu says tap water still safe to drink, after blackish rainwater collected in pails amid haze

Singapore's tap water remains safe to drink even though rainwater collected during hazy conditions may contain higher levels of particles, said Environment Minister Grace Fu.

In an Instagram post on Oct. 24, Fu said she visited national water agency PUB's Water Quality Lab to learn more about how the haze is affecting rainwater and whether drinking water is affected.

This comes after photos and videos circulating online showed rainwater collected in pails after a downpour on Oct. 15 appearing greyish and blackish.

Rainwater can pick up airborne particles

PUB collected four water samples on Oct. 17, when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 193: rainwater from Kranji, rainwater from Ulu Pandan, runoff from Yew Tee, and tap water.

The tests showed that rainwater collected during hazy conditions may be slightly more acidic and contain higher levels of particles and organic matter, Fu said.

This is because airborne particles and other substances can be picked up by rainwater as it falls.

However, the extent of discolouration depended on whether the rainwater was collected directly or from runoff.

Fu also stressed that rainwater should not be used for cooking, drinking or personal hygiene, even when collected in non-hazy conditions.

Tap water not affected

Water collected in reservoirs does not go straight to taps, Fu said.

Instead, it goes through several stages of treatment to remove particles and impurities.

"Our water treatment processes can filter our particles up to hundred times smaller than PM 2.5. So, rest assured that the PM 2.5 haze particles will be removed," she affirmed.

PUB has also stepped up checks on water quality during the haze, and the tests have not found anything unusual, she added.

"While the blackish water seems worrying, our tap water remains safe and clean to drink."

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