According to the Singapore Food Agency, Singapore’s water quality standards are based on international guidelines, and drinking water providers must ensure the water is “unpolluted and wholesome”.
It also said that those providing piped drinking water must follow PUB guidelines and the dispenser supplier’s maintenance recommendations.
On CNA’s visits to the hawker centres and bus interchanges, the water coolers available mostly looked clean apart from water stains. A grain of rice was found at one hawker centre’s water dispenser, which was situated next to a tray return station. At another hawker centre, a bird was perched on the dispenser.
FREE AND CONVENIENT
Still, some people told CNA they use the dispensers regularly and enjoy the free and accessible source of drinking water.
Housewife Chew Ailin, who was at Serangoon Garden Market on Feb 16, said her family uses public water coolers and is not concerned about the cleanliness.
“We don’t really think about that, we’re people who drink tap water,” she told CNA. Tap water is safe to drink in Singapore.
It would be nice if the water dispensed is cold, but the temperature varies, she said.
“It’s a good thing to have water accessible,” Ms Chew, 40, said. “I welcome it.”