Grace Fu says tap water still safe to drink, after blackish rainwater collected in pails amid haze

Singapore's Environment Minister Grace Fu has reassured residents that tap water remains safe to drink, despite reports of blackish rainwater collected during hazy conditions. Speaking on Instagram, Fu explained that rainwater can pick up airborne particles, causing it to appear greyish or blackish during periods of haze. To investigate the matter, Fu visited PUB's Water Quality Lab and had four water samples tested on October 17, when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached 193.

The tests revealed that rainwater could be slightly more acidic and contain higher levels of particles and organic matter due to the presence of airborne particles. However, Fu emphasized that the extent of discolouration depends on whether the rainwater was collected directly or from runoff, and that rainwater should not be used for cooking, drinking, or personal hygiene, even in non-hazy conditions.

She affirmed that water collected in reservoirs goes through several stages of treatment, removing particles and impurities smaller than PM 2.5, ensuring the safety of tap water for consumption.

Brief written by urgent.news from Mothership's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.