Safeguarding and Protecting Sewerage System During Construction Works

Outline of Presentation

Why and How to Safeguard the Sewerage System? Violations Encountered in Damages and Inflows to Sewerage System What Can Be Done?

Why and How to Safeguard the Sewerage System?

Importance of safeguarding the sewerage system

[Sewerage system comprises DTSS, link sewers, trunk sewers, smaller sewers and pumping mains (pressurized sewers)] To prevent damage pollution of watercourses public health nuisance To prevent unauthorized inflow / materials rainwater sand, cement grout, concrete construction debris / waste
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Identify and confirm location of sewerage system

- Obtain SIP (sewerage interpretation plans)

(from yellow pages mall http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg/govmall/nea_sip.html CBPU/NEA website http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1495)

- Registered surveyor to peg the alignment of the sewers - Do trial holes to verify location / depth of, especially for pumping mains

Setback requirements (Sewer Protection Zone)

Sewer Protection Zone Defined as the area within a minimum horizontal clearance from PUB's existing sewers and pumping mains within which no structures either permanent or temporary should be built unless the Director, Water Reclamation (Network) Department has given the written permission to do so

 The minimum horizontal distances around the sewers and pumping mains within which the PUB requires prior approval of any works are defined as follows: (a) Sewers, Link sewers & Deep Tunnels (DTSS) Pipe Diameter (mm) and Nett Clearance Required

(b) Pumping mains

Vertical clearance

a. No utilities services (cable, gas pipe, water pipes, etc) either permanent or temporary should over-cross /under-cross within one metre (1m) from any sewers or pumping mains up to 600mm diameter. b. The minimum vertical clearance for sewer/pumping main greater than 600mm diameter shall be advised by the Director of the Water reclamation (Network) Department (PUB) on a case by case consideration.

When should arrangements be made to protect our sewers? Before commencing earthworks, piling if our sewers are in the lot What should be done before commencing construction works? Consultation with CBPU for DC clearance If work fall within the Sewer Protection Zone/ Development lot/ Influence zone, written approval my be obtain from PUB/WRN Sealing up of connections to be abandoned to prevent debris from entering the network Raising up manholes which will be affected by earth works Preventing surcharge loads over our sewers

Violations Encountered in Damages and Inflows to Sewerage System

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Nature of violations which have been encountered

Direct damage Grout, construction debris, etc. getting into sewers and obstructing flow Structures built within Sewer Protection Zone Direct inflow Discharge of sewage directly to public sewer without approval from PUB (Makeshift toilet on top of I/C or manhole)

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Possible cause of damage to sewer

Sewer pipes are damaged through direct means, eg. - Pile intrusion - Augering works - Excavation - Ground movement causing pipe dislodgement - Surcharging loads over sewers

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Examples of damage to sewer

Example 1 (Dec 2007) Location Rangoon Road Nature of violation - 1219mm sewer damaged by piling works

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Examples of damage to sewer

Example 2 (Oct 2007) Location Beng Wan Road Nature of violation 152mm dia sewer damaged by bakau pile intrusion

1st Pile 152mm dia Sewer 2nd Pile

Bakau Pile Intrusion

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Examples of damage to sewer

Example 3 (Dec 2005) Location Boon Lay Way Nature of violation - 150mm sewer damaged by excavation works Example 4 (Jan 2008) Location Puay Hee Ave Nature of violation - 225mm sewer damaged by sheet piles

Location of damage

Location of damage

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Requirements, Lessons Learnt and Good Practices

- To obtain Sewerage Interpretation Plan (SIP) to ascertain the location of the sewers at site so that the construction work will not affect the sewerage network - To peg the sewer lines within the construction site by registered surveyor - To do trial holes to confirm location and depth of sewer - To confirm position of any sewer pipes / pumping mains that are in close proximity to any piling, excavation works etc. - To work with caution when in close proximity to sewers - To have sewerage emergency contingency plans in place to contain any sewage spillage as a result of site accidents
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Requirements, Lessons Learnt and Good Practices

- To provide adequate structural supports for any portions of exposed sewers - To have proper instrumentation in place and monitor actual ground movement - Trigger levels (alert and suspension) to be determined by QPs and no compromise can be made on site - Voids within soil will create unnecessary soil movement when disturbed, and increase the possibility of pipe joints dislodgement; to provide adequate compaction during backfilling so as not to leave voids within the soil

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Grout, construction debris, etc. getting into sewers and obstructing flow
Example 2 (Apr 2006) Location Tanah Merah Country Club Nature of violation Sand intrusion into sewerage system

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Grout, construction debris, etc. getting into sewers and obstructing flow
Example 3 (May 2005) Location Bartley Road Nature of violation - 535mm sewer obstructed by cement grout

535mm sewer with cement grout

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Grout, construction debris, etc. getting into sewers and obstructing flow
Example 4 (July 2007) Location Bedok South Ave 1 & 2 and Bedok South Road Nature of violation Silt sump and bar screen (not maintained properly)
SILT SUMP

Minor construction activities involving ground leveling and upgrading work only

BARSCREEN MISSING

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Grout, construction debris, etc. getting into sewers and obstructing flow
Example 5 (April 2005) Location HDB Upgrading Precinct MUP 18 Clementi Ave 4/6 BLK 301 -310 Proper silt fence over manholes to prevent debris from getting into the sewerage system through the keyholes

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Requirements, Lessons Learnt and Good Practices

Sewerage system is for sewage, not construction materials / debris, etc. To install and maintain silt sumps and bar screens for internal connecting lines from construction sites to public sewers To have adequate over-pumping equipment to pump rain water to drains at site, so as to divert / mitigate any flooding of site in heavy downpour To consult / feedback to Network Management Branch on manholes within project site where construction debris may get into sewerage network

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Example of Silt Sump

Example of Bar Screen

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Structures built within Sewer Protection Zone

- Cases where structures are built over / under / across sewers or encompass sewers within Sewer Protection Zone
Example 1 (Dec 2007) Location North Coast Drive Nature of violation - Erection of concrete batching plant over 450 mm dia sewer

Batching Plant on top of sewer

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Structures built within Sewer Protection Zone

Example 2 (Nov 2007) Location Mountbatten Road Nature of violation - Piling close to 762mm dia sewer without approval

762 mm dia Existing sewer

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Requirements
To obtain approval from PUB WRN whenever any works are to be done within Sewer Protection Zone ( http://www.pub.gov.sg/info_center/sewer_protection_zone.aspx) over-cross/under-across any sewers/pumping mains

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Direct inflow
Cases where rainwater / surface runoff is channeled into sewerage system
Example 1 (2005) Location Carpark beside River Valley Building Nature of violation Roadside drain connected to IC

Road side drain connected to an inspection chamber

Connection of road side drain to inspection chamber sealed

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Direct inflow
Example 2 (April 2008) Location Alexandra Road Nature of violation Missing Inspection chamber cover

Missing inspection chamber

Inspection chamber with proper cover

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Direct inflow
Example 3 (April 2008) Location Alexandra Road Nature of violation Free flowing condition due to broken manhole cover

Freeflowing condition in sewer

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Direct inflow
Example 4 (May 2008) Location Loyang Lane Nature of inflow Wastewater pipe connection on site

Temporary PVC pipe from construction site office not removed

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Requirements, Lessons Learnt and Good Practices

- Sewerage system is for sewage, not rain water / surface runoff

- Inflow will cause surcharging, overflows, etc, resulting in disruption of service to the customers and environmental pollution - Not to connect or allow surface run-off into ICs leading to sewers - Replace damaged IC covers - Report any damaged manholes / covers to WRN

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Discharging sewage directly into public sewer

Example 1 (July 2008) Location Lorong G Telok Kurau Nature of violation Makeshift toilet on top of manhole

Manhole cover opened

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Discharging sewage directly into public sewer

Example 2 (July 2008) Location Jalan Pandan Nature of violation Makeshift toilet over opening connecting to an internal drainline

Connection to internal drainline

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Discharging sewage directly into public sewer

Example 3 (May 2008) Location Melrose Drive Nature of violation Illegal toilet on top of I/C

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Requirements, Lessons Learnt and Good Practices

- Direct inflow can cause disruption of services and may lead to environmental pollution - To obtain proper approval for water connection and temporary toilet facilities on site from PUB/WRN - For short term projects, mobile toilets can be put on site - Manhole cover should be in place at all times and should not be removed for waste discharge purposes without approval

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Main Regulations under the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA) on Safeguarding and Protecting Sewerage System During Construction Works
SDA Section 14(1) Description of Section No person shall erect or cause or permit to be erected any building or structure over, across or adjacent to any sewer or sewerage system without obtaining, in respect of those works, a clearance certificate or the approval of the Board Penalty Any person found guilty shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

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Main Regulations under the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA) on Safeguarding and Protecting Sewerage System During Construction Works
SDA Section 18(1) Description of Section No person, without the written approval of the Board, shall discharge or cause or permit the discharge of any sewage, waste matter or effluent into any public sewer or any drain-line or sewer communicating with a public sewer directly or indirectly, from any conveyance or mobile toilet; or by opening a manhole or an inspection chamber or any other means of access to the public sewer. Penalty Any person found guilty shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000

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Main Regulations under the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA) on Safeguarding and Protecting Sewerage System During Construction Works
SDA Section 19(1) Description of Section No person shall throw, empty or pass, or suffer or permit to be thrown or emptied or passed, into any public sewer, or into any drain-line or sewer communicating with a public sewer any matter or other substance likely to injure the sewer or drainline, to interfere with the free flow of its contents or to affect prejudicially the treatment and disposal of its contents; or any sand, earth, gravel, cement, cement grout, brick, timber, wood or other building materials. Penalty Any person found guilty shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

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Main Regulations under the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA) on Safeguarding and Protecting Sewerage System During Construction Works
SDA Section 20(1) Description of Section Any person who causes any damage to any public sewer or any sewer or drain-line communicating with a public sewer; or does any act which renders any public or private sewer to be dangerous or injurious to health or to cause a nuisance Penalty Any person found guilty shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $40,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both

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What Can Be Done?

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Dos and Donts to be observed at site

DO 1. Do purchase a Sewerage Interpretation Plan (SIP) from CBPU (NEA) 2. Do obtain approval from PUB, Water Reclamation (Network) Department before you carry out any works within the Sewer Protection Zone 3. Do trial holes to identify the exact location of existing sewers/pumping mains/sanitary drainlines/sewer connection lines before any excavation or piling work. Use only manual excavation near the pipes 4. Do peg/barricade the route along the sewers/pumping mains to forewarn sub-contractors of the presence of sewers/pumping mains, etc

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Dos and Donts to be observed at site

DO 5. Do consult PUB, Water Reclamation (Network) Department when you are unable to locate existing manholes/chambers/ sewers/pumping mains, etc 6. Do have proper protection for our existing sewers/pumping mains during excavation. Prior approval must be obtained from Water Reclamation (Network) Department for protection/ diversion works 7. Do submit a Notification to our Network Management Branch (NMB) at least 7 days before commencement of any excavation works near any sewers or sewerage system 8. Do report to our Network Management Branch (NMB) at Tel: 65172243 should any of our services be damaged, exposed or any sealing work is required for immediate attention

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Dos and Donts to be observed at site

DON'T 1. Don't excavate, pile or construct any structures in the Sewer Protection Zone without prior approval from PUB, Water Reclamation (Network) Department 2 Don't allow heavy machinery to move over our existing sewers/pumping mains without adequate protection (e.g steel plate) 3. Don't use excavator for trial holes to locate the existing sewers/pumping mains/sanitary drainlines 4. Don't lay any services on top of our existing sewers/pumping mains

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Dos and Donts to be observed at site

DON'T 5. Don't lay any services inside our manholes/chambers 6. Don't cover our manholes/chambers with concrete or premix or construction debris during the construction work 7. Don't place excavated earth on top of our sewers/pumping mains/ manholes/chambers. No overburden load should be imposed on the sewers/pumping mains/manholes/chambers 8. Don't leave the manhole or inspection chambers cover open. If the cover is damaged in the course of the construction work, replace them immediately or call the Network Management Branch at Tel: 65172243 for assistance

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Contacts for Requests and Submissions

For request of works within sewer protection zones Director Water Reclamation (Network) Department, PUB 14th Storey Environment Building 40 Scotts Road Singapore 228231 Attention: Ms. Ng Ya Ling/Mr. Lau Sze Kiat For feedback on disruption of sewerage service Director Water Reclamation (Network) Department, PUB Network Management Branch Waterhub Toh Tuck Complex 80, Toh Guan Road East #C2-13/14 Singapore 608575 Attention: Mr. Er Jui Khee/Mr. Lim Beng Kee For request of detecting missing manholes, raising/lowering manholes Director Water Reclamation (Network) Department, PUB Network Management Branch Waterhub Toh Tuck Complex 80, Toh Guan Road East #C2-13/14 Singapore 608575 Attention: Mr. Hong Kwan Meng/Mr. Toy Yong Hua

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What should be done immediate if spillages, sewage overflows is observed on site, or any other problem with our sewers?
Activate the sewerage emergency contingency plans Containment of sewage by overpumping/tankering to prevent pollution Stop all work activities in the vicinity of the affected sewer Inform PUB Call Centre at our 24-hr toll-free number 1800-284 6600 or SMS us at 90343430 or call our Network Management Branch (NMB) at 65172243 Inform your QPs/PEs Remain at site to assist PUB officers on their arrival

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Thank You

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