Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on keeping track of the effectiveness of the fumigation of rubbish chutes in buildings, especially HDB blocks, in controlling pests

May 10, 2021

Mr Chong Kee Hiong: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry keeps track of the effectiveness of the fumigation of rubbish chutes in buildings, especially HDB blocks, in controlling pests; and (b) whether technical support can be provided to town councils on the rubbish chute flushing system to automate sterilisation of these chutes to reduce the population of cockroaches and other pests. 

Answer:

Town Councils are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of common property, including refuse chutes. Town Councils engage their own Pest Control Operators to ensure that HDB common areas, including the refuse chutes, remain free of vectors and pests. The effectiveness of the fumigation of refuse chutes depends on how it is carried out by the Town Councils’ Pest Control Operators. 

The refuse chute flushing system is installed in HDB blocks to clean the interior of the chutes. The flushing system is designed based on NEA’s Code of Practice on Environment Health (COPEH), which requires the system to wash the refuse chute to be activated manually. 

Manual flushing allows cleaners to activate the flushing system only after ensuring that the chute is clear of refuse. This prevents water from mixing with remnant refuse in the chute, which may result in heavier refuse which is harder to clear, and cause odour and hygiene issues. 

The sterilisation of refuse chutes is done separately from the flushing.  If Town Councils wish to modify the refuse chute flushing system for existing refuse chutes, including through adding an automated sterilisation system, they can engage specialist contractors to propose appropriate technical designs. The relevant government agencies such as HDB, NEA and PUB will then review the proposed designs to ensure that the automated system can function alongside the original flushing system, and that it complies with the relevant regulatory provisions.