Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, accompanies judges as they inspect the toilets at Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
THREE public toilets have picked up public health awards given out by the South West Community Development Council.
The three showcases for cleanliness and efficient maintenance are the restrooms in the Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre, VivoCity shopping mall and Best Coffee Shop in Jurong West Street 91.
They are the best toilets in the hawker centre, shopping mall and coffee shop categories respectively, and were picked from a field of nine.
They were assessed over two weeks by judges from South West CDC, town councils in the district, the National Environment Agency and the Restroom Association Singapore (RAS).
Judging criteria included the condition of the toilets, comfort level and maintenance systems.
Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre has 140 food stalls, and its toilets picked up a four-star rating, a rarity among hawker centre toilets, noted RAS official Sanjay Balan.
Most such toilets get only three stars as their high usage levels make them the hardest to upkeep, he said. Those at Yuhua, for example, are estimated to be used by 200 people a day.
Mr Balan added that it was also difficult to change the mindset of some owners of these facilities 'who don't think it is necessary to keep them too clean'. Many public toilets here have wet floors and flushes that do not work properly.
The Yuhua toilets, maintained by a cleaner who cleans them twice daily, also impressed the judges with their design, which let in fresh air and sunlight.
