SINGAPORE - Two contractors have been fined for causing damage to PUB water mains at Ang Mo Kio and Bukit Timah during works earlier this year, the national water agency said in a release on Wednesday (Nov 9).

Avenue Engineering and Lian Seng Swee Construction were fined $26,000 and $40,000 respectively for the "serious offence that compromises the reliability of the water supply and results in the loss of precious water and in some cases, affect water supply to customers," PUB said.

While carrying out hacking activities to improve roadside drains along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 on Feb 15, workers from Avenue Engineering exposed a 300mm diameter PUB water main and failed to provide it proper support. This resulted in a joint of the water main being dislodged, causing a water leakage, PUB said.

In a separate incident in March, Lian Seng Swee Construction damaged a 300mm diameter PUB water main along Fourth Avenue while carrying out construction work for the Sixth Avenue MRT station. During excavation work, its operator hit the PUB water main, causing 95 households in the vicinity to experience water interruption.

The contractors were charged under the Public Utilities Act, and could have been fined up to $200,000, imprisoned for up to three years or both.

PUB said it will take strict enforcement action against parties that do not comply with its requirements, the Public Utilities Act and its regulations.

Members of the public can report such incidents to PUB's 24-hour call centre at 1800-2255-782 .