The ground previously occupied by ORTO leisure park was taken over by HDB for soil investigation and survey works last July. The site at 81 Lorong Chencharu sits in an area zoned for residential use.
“Since then, HDB has been maintaining the site, including the pond and its fish, which have been retained to prevent mosquito breeding pending the commencement of site clearance and earthworks in 1Q2024,” it said.
As part of site maintenance, HDB added its contractor would “fill up the pond whenever the water level in the pond fell below the usual level” and this is typically done every two days.
“SIGNIFICANT DROP” IN WATER LEVEL
The pond’s water level was observed to be at its “usual” level on Jan 31.
The “significant drop” in water level two days later was the first time this happened, HDB said, adding that it is looking into the cause.
“In the meantime, HDB has found a suitable commercial farm to relocate the remaining fish to, and is working towards relocating them to the farm by end-February, before site works commence.”
The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) also told CNA on Thursday it was alerted to a case involving dead fish in a pond at Yishun and is looking into the matter.