A 230m-long section of a canal running along Bukit Batok West Avenues 2 and 4 has been given a $400,000 facelift.

Plants have been added to the waterway edge, as well as timber seats and four rain gardens.

The rain gardens help to clean rainwater run-off before it is discharged into the canal. This helps to improve water quality, enhance aesthetics and enliven biodiversity in the area.

The PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters or ABC Waters project, which took about a year to complete, was officially opened yesterday by Senior Minister of State for Health and the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor.

The programme transforms waterways and water bodies into recreational, social and community spaces. The Bukit Batok canal is the 32nd project completed by the national water agency.

Mr Michael Gan, 50, chairman of Hong Kah North Zone 1 Residents' Committee, said that people have been streaming by the area to take photos.

He said: "It's a good spot for us to gather in the mornings and evenings. It was previously quite bare but now we have something that beautifies the space."

Dr Khor said the transformed stretch enhances and adds value to the living environment.

She said: "By tapping the spaces next to and around the canal, residents can now hang out with their families and neighbours by the waterway, while learning about rainwater run-off, water quality and biodiversity at the rain gardens."

Melody Zaccheus